Original ArticlesLaser-induced chorioretinal venous anastomosis for nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion: evaluation of the complications and their risk factors
Section snippets
Methods
We undertook a retrospective review of all patients with a nonischemic CRVO treated at our institution between January 1991 and July 1996 with a laser-induced chorioretinal venous anastomosis. Nonischemia was determined to be 10 disk diameters or less of capillary nonperfusion seen on a fluorescein angiogram in the area corresponding to that used by the Central Vein Occlusion Study (CVOS).6 Each eye had a visual acuity decreased to at least 20/100 or less in the involved eye because of perfused
Results
A total of 91 eyes (91 patients) with a predominantly nonischemic CRVO were treated with this technique. Sixteen eyes had some degree of retinal ischemia, ranging in size from 2 to 10 disk diameters at the time of the anastomotic attempt, as determined by capillary nonperfusion seen on 60-degree fluorescein angiograms centered on the posterior pole covering the region corresponding to the area used for grading in the CVOS.6 Ages varied from 26 to 89 years, with an average ± SD of 68.4 ± 13.6
Discussion
The concept of creating a therapeutic anastomosis between the retina and choroid as a means of treating retinal vascular occlusive disease has been raised by several authors.7, 8, 9, 10 In 1948, Verhoeff7 reported an anastomosis occurring between a retinal vessel and a choroidal vessel after treating a patient with Eales disease using diathermy. Although the potential of a therapeutically created anastomosis between the retina and the choroid in patients with retinal venous occlusive disease
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