Results of retinal photocoagulation therapy in 26 eyes with retinal branch vein occlusion (RBVO) and in 18 eyes with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) are presented. The final visual outcome in eyes with macular oedema (non-ischaemic type of occlusion) did not significantly differ from that reported in various untreated series of branch or central retinal vein occlusion. Neovascular complications in eyes with capillary non-perfusion (ischaemic type of occlusion) could not be prevented with the relatively mild photocoagulation technique (less than 200 xenon burns in CRVO) used in this study. On the basis of this series the value of photocoagulation therapy in improving the visual prognosis in venous occlusion is questionable, and, in order to prevent neovascular complications in the ischaemic type of occlusion, a more extensive treatment seems to be necessary.