Macular grid photocoagulation for macular edema in central retinal vein occlusion
M. L. Klein and D. Finkelstein
Department of Ophthalmology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
To obtain pilot information regarding possible benefits of photocoagulation
grid treatment for macular edema secondary to nonischemic central retinal
vein occlusion, records were reviewed for patients who demonstrated
well-documented prompt improvement in edema after treatment. In each of the
five selected patients who demonstrated this association, macular edema had
been present for a minimum of 6 months. Also, preoperative visual acuity
was 20/60 or less, good macular capillary perfusion was present on the
fluorescein angiogram, and substantial reduction of edema was demonstrated
on clinical examination and by decreased leakage and late staining on
fluorescein angiography within 8 weeks following treatment. Postoperative
visual acuity either improved or remained unchanged for each eye. These
results indicate that, in certain eyes, grid photocoagulation can lessen
macular edema, thus supporting the rationale for a randomized clinical
trial to determine possible benefits of this therapy.
