Radial optic neurotomy with adjunctive intraocular triamcinolone for central retinal vein occlusion: 63 consecutive cases.

PURPOSE: Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is a leading cause of permanent retinal vascular blindness. In a previous communication the authors reported the results of radial optic neurotomy (RON) in 117 consecutive patients with severe CRVO. Persistent cystoid macular edema (CME) and macular pigmentation (MP) were observed and correlated with worse macular function. Intraocular triamcinolone (IOK) has been used to treat patients with CME and CRVO. The authors performed RON with simultaneous, adjunctive IOK (RON/IOK) in patients with CRVO to ascertain any anatomic or visual benefit of this combined approach.

METHODS: Pars plana vitrectomy and RON were performed on a case-by-case basis on 63 consecutive patients with CRVO and visual acuity of 20/200 or worse. At the end of the case, 4 mg of triamcinolone was injected into the vitreous cavity (RON/IOK). Patients were observed with serial fundus photographs, fluorescein angiography (FA), Snellen visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressures (IOP), and biomicroscopy for anterior segment neovascularization (ANV). Anatomic and visual outcomes were compared to a previous series of 117 patients with severe CRVO undergoing RON alone.

RESULTS: Clinical improvement as determined by fundus examination, photography, and FA was noted in 93% of patients following RON/IOK. Snellen VA improved by an average of three lines (range one to seven) in 68% of all patients. Two or more lines were gained in 44% of patients and four or more lines were gained in 20% of patients. ANV developed in 7% of patients following RON/IOK. Persistent CME and MP were noted in 17% and 28% of patients, respectively. These outcomes were similar to patients undergoing RON alone without IOK. Elevated IOP was noted in 25% of patients and one patient developed endophthalmitis following RON/IOK.

CONCLUSIONS: Surgical decompression of CRVO via RON/IOK is a technically feasible procedure. Clinical resolution of the CRVO and improved visual function noted in RON/IOK paralleled outcomes following RON alone. RON/IOK was associated with a higher incidence of elevated IOP and endophthalmitis.