The Efficacy of Radial Optic Neurotomy for Central Retinal Vein Occlusion.

Purpose: Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) often produces significant and permanent loss of vision in the affected eye, however there is no known effective treatment of CRVO. By restoration of retinal venous circulation via radial optic neurotomy (RON), we want to know the efficacy and complication of radial optic neurotomy were evaluated. Methods: Ten eyes of 10 consecutive patients diagnosed as CRVO in Chonbuk national university hospital with best visual acuity 0.1 or worse underwent RON after a standard three-port vitrectomy as Opremcak's study. The average duration of the CRVO prior to RON was 2.4 months with a range of 1-9 months. Results: The average follow-up was 5 months with a range of 1-12 months. Equal or better postoperative visual acuity, rapid resolution of intraretinal hemorrhage and restoration of normal retinal vasculature were noted in 8 of the 10 (80%) patients. 5 of the 10 (50%) patients had a final visual acuity of 0.1 or better. two patients achieved 0.3 final visual acuity, one patient achieved 0.6 final visual acuity. Conclusions: Compared with others without any treatment, RON may be a beneficial surgical procedure for severe CRVO and 0.1 or worse visual acuity. More cases and longer follow-up are needed to establish the indication, efficacy, and safety of RON in CRVO.