Deep Vein Thrombosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Deep Vein Thrombosis, including details on dvt, prevention, effects, causes, air travel, blood clots.

Central retinal artery occlusion after radial optic neurotomy in a patient with central retinal vein occlusion.

Yamamoto S, Takatsuna Y, Sato E, Mizunoya S

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan. shuyama@faculty.chiba-u.ac.jp

PURPOSE: To describe a patient with a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) who developed central retinal artery occlusion after radial optic neurotomy. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 70-year-old woman with CRVO underwent a radial optic neurotomy on her right eye. Her preoperative visual acuity in the affected eye was 20/400. RESULTS: Radial optic neurotomy was performed after phacoemulsification and aspiration for a cataract with intraocular lens implantation. At the insertion of a CRVO knife, pulsating bleeding occurred from the cup of the optic disk; the bleeding was stopped within 2 minutes by elevating the intraocular pressure to 80 mm Hg. On the following day, the patient noticed that she had lost light perception. Fluorescein angiography showed a marked delay of arterial filling, indicating a central retinal artery occlusion. Retinal circulation returned to normal 2 months later; however, her vision was still no light perception. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmologists should be aware that severe complications such as central retinal artery occlusion can be associated with radial optic neurotomy, which is an unproven surgical procedure with a questionable pathophysiologic mechanism.

Published 17 January 2005 in Am J Ophthalmol, 139(1): 206-7.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Deep Vein Thrombosis Research Today. All Rights Reserved.