Central retinal artery occlusion after radial optic neurotomy in a patient with central retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To describe a patient with a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) who developed central retinal artery occlusion after radial optic neurotomy.

DESIGN

Interventional case report.

METHODS

A 70-year-old woman with CRVO underwent a radial optic neurotomy on her right eye. Her preoperative visual acuity in the affected eye was 20/400.

RESULTS

Radial optic neurotomy was performed after phacoemulsification and aspiration for a cataract with intraocular lens implantation. At the insertion of a CRVO knife, pulsating bleeding occurred from the cup of the optic disk; the bleeding was stopped within 2 minutes by elevating the intraocular pressure to 80 mm Hg. On the following day, the patient noticed that she had lost light perception. Fluorescein angiography showed a marked delay of arterial filling, indicating a central retinal artery occlusion. Retinal circulation returned to normal 2 months later; however, her vision was still no light perception.

CONCLUSIONS

Ophthalmologists should be aware that severe complications such as central retinal artery occlusion can be associated with radial optic neurotomy, which is an unproven surgical procedure with a questionable pathophysiologic mechanism.