Radial optic neurotomy for central retinal vein occlusion: long-term retinal perfusion outcome.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To analyze the long-term changes in retinal perfusion and functional improvement induced by radial optic neurotomy (RON) in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

METHODS

Sixty-three eyes of 63 consecutive patients with CRVO were included. Twenty-eight (44.5%) patients underwent RON and 35 (55.5%) were followed as a control group. Time of arteriovenous transit and visual acuity were determined at baseline and after 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

After 1 year, retinal perfusion status improved in 63.1% of operated eyes and 14.3% of controls (p = 0.048). The improvement in arteriovenous retinal transit was statistically significant (p = 0.023) only in the RON group. The visual improvement in the RON group was significantly better (p = 0.043) than in the control group. Moreover, the development of chorioretinal anastomosis was significantly higher (p = 0.036) after RON than in controls and correlated with better functional results. In operated eyes there was a lower incidence of CRVO-related complications.

CONCLUSION

RON improved retinal perfusion and achieved a better functional outcome. The measurement of perfusion changes as presented here may be useful for monitoring CRVO and assessing other treatment modalities.