[Results of laser coagulation of central retinal vein occlusion].

BACKGROUND

In the literature laser treatment in ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is established to prevent iris neovascularization. We investigated the relationship of morphological and fluorescein angiographic findings with the results of laser treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In 70 (56%) of 125 examined patients with central retinal vein occlusion laser treatment was performed. Indications were either ischemic type of occlusion or macular edema with visual acuity < or = 0.5.

RESULTS

The results compare visual acuity before and after laser treatment (three months and 11.5 months on average) examined by Wilcoxon-test. There was no significant improvement in visual acuity (p = 0.62). After laser treatment 3 (9%) patients with ischemic CRVO developed iris neovascularization and 2 (6%) neovascular glaucoma. There was no correlation between visual outcome and ischemia type (non ischemic type p = 0.61, ischemic type p = 0.67), maculopathy (cystoid macula edema p = 0.87, ischemic maculopathy p = 0.5) and internal diseases (hypertension p = 0.43, diabetes mellitus p = 0.74).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that there is no significant visual improvement in patients with CRVO after laser treatment. There are no morphological and angiographic findings indicating a subgroup with good visual prognosis.