Asymptomatic miniocclusions of the optic disc veins in glaucoma

A. Tuulonen
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oulu, Finland.

This study was done to document photographically the evolution of asymptomatic venous stasis changes of the optic disc in glaucoma, estimate their prevalence, and report the clinical findings. Asymptomatic venous miniocclusions were found to develop and occasionally disappear in the optic disc stereophotographs of nine patients with early to moderate glaucoma or ocular hypertension during a mean follow-up of 9 years. In the 1664 photographs examined, a prevalence of 3% was found. None of the patients had a history of retinal vein occlusion or venous stasis retinopathy. Progression of glaucomatous optic disc changes occurred in eight of nine patients. It is possible that asymptomatic miniocclusions are secondary to the changes at the bottom of the optic cup. The miniocclusions, which are easily missed if not looked for, may be an early indicator of glaucomatous progression of the optic disc cupping.