Optociliary veins and visual prognosis after central retinal vein occlusion.

The effect of acquired optociliary veins on visual acuity after ischemic central retinal vein occlusion in patients 45 years of age or older was assessed retrospectively. Fundus photographs and medical records of 21 patients, 45 years of age or older, with photographically documented central retinal vein occlusion and at least six-months follow-up were analyzed. Eleven of 21 patients developed acquired optociliary veins. Patients with acquired optociliary veins were more likely to experience stable or improved visual acuity (nine of 11 patients) than were patients without them (four of ten patients) over a mean follow-up period of 30 months (P = .049).