This Article  • Full text  • PDF  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on ISI (42)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Topic Collections  • Laser Surgery  • Ophthalmological Procedures, Other  • Surgery  • Laser Surgery  • Alert me on articles by topic

Sharon Fekrat, MD; Morton F. Goldberg, MD; Daniel Finkelstein, MD

Arch Ophthalmol. 1998;116:43-52.

Objective  To establish a communication between an obstructed retinal vein and the choroid by means of laser in eyes with nonischemic central or branch vein occlusion.

Methods  Retrospective review identified eyes with nonischemic central or branch vein occlusion, and with decreasing or persistently decreased visual acuity of 20/100 or worse for 4 months or more before treatment, that received 1 or more sessions of laser photocoagulation to create a chorioretinal anastomosis.

Results  Of 24 eyes with central vein occlusion, an anastomosis formed in 9 (38%) within 2 months after treatment, with visual improvement of 6 or more lines in 2 (8%) of 24 eyes, 1 to 3 lines in 5 (21%), and no improvement in 2 (8%). Of 6 eyes with branch vein occlusion, an anastomosis formed in 3 (50%) within 2 months after treatment, with visual improvement of 1 to 3 lines in 2 (33%) of 6 and no improvement in 1 (16%). No permanent, vision-limiting complications occurred during a mean follow-up of 13 months after the first treatment session or 8 months after the last session.

Conclusions  Laser photocoagulation of a retinal vein and Bruch's membrane may create a chorioretinal anastomosis in some eyes with a nonischemic vein occlusion. Progression to an ischemic status may possibly be prevented with successful anastomosis formation. Marked visual improvement may occur. Treatment techniques to create reliably an anastomosis with subsequent visual improvement, while minimizing potential complications, continue to evolve.

From The Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Md.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

The management of retinal vein occlusion: is interventional ophthalmology the way forward?
Shahid et al.
Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2006;90:627-639.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Surgical induction of chorioretinal venous anastomosis in ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion: a non-randomised controlled clinical trial
Mirshahi et al.
Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2005;89:64-69.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Choroidal Neovascularization After Central Retinal Vein Occlusion in a 47-Year-Old Man
DiLoreto et al.
Arch Ophthalmol 2004;122:1398-1401.
FULL TEXT  

Chorioretinal Anastomosis After Radial Optic Neurotomy for Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
Garcia-Arumi et al.
Arch Ophthalmol 2003;121:1385-1391.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Vision-Related Quality of Life in People With Central Retinal Vein Occlusion Using the 25-Item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire
Deramo et al.
Arch Ophthalmol 2003;121:1297-1302.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Laser induced chorioretinal venous anastomosis in ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion
Kwok et al.
Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2003;87:1043-1044.
FULL TEXT  

Laser-Induced Chorioretinal Anastomosis and Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
Parodi et al.
Arch Ophthalmol 1999;117:140-141.
FULL TEXT