Presumed occlusion of posterior ciliary arteries following central retinal vein decompression surgery

A. Rodriguez, F. J. Rodriguez and F. Betancourt
Fundacion Oftalmologica Nacional, Bogota, Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: Sectioning of the posterior scleral ring has been advocated in the treatment of central retinal vein occlusion. We reviewed cases in which this surgery apparently produced sectioning or closure of the short and long posterior ciliary arteries that resulted in a triangular area of choroidal ischemia and permanent chorioretinal lesions. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Clinic-based vitreoretinal referral practice. PATIENTS: Four eyes of three patients whose ages ranged from 17 to 53 years underwent sectioning of the posterior scleral rings as treatment for central retinal vein occlusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Findings from complete ophthalmologic evaluation. RESULTS: All patients had either an oval or a triangular area of choroidal ischemia nasal to the optic disc and had permanent chorioretinal lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Valid basis for performing this operation requires further investigation.