COLOR DOPPLER IMAGING OF ARTERIAL BLOOD MOW IN CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

Purpose: The hemodynamics of the retrobulbar arterial circulation of p atients with central retinal vein occlusion were evaluated in order to better understand the pathophysiology of this disease. Methods: Color Doppler imaging was used to measure the peak systolic velocity and Va scular resistance (pulsatility index) in the retrobulbar arteries of i nvolved eyes and clinically healthy fellow eyes of patients with centr al retinal vein occlusion and in the control eyes of age- and sex-matc hed healthy volunteers. Results: Average peak systolic velocity was si gnificantly lower and average vascular resistance was significantly hi gher in the central retinal artery of involved eyes of patients with c entral retinal vein occlusion compared with clinically healthy fellow eyes and compared with control eyes. There also was a trend toward hig her vascular resistance in the central retinal artery of clinically he althy fellow eyes of patients with central retinal vein occlusion comp ared with control eyes. In the ophthalmic arteries and short posterior ciliary arteries, vascular resistance was significantly higher in bot h the involved eyes and clinically healthy fellow eyes of patients wit h central retinal vein occlusion compared with control eyes. Conclusio n: Color Doppler imaging parameters of the central retinal artery circ ulation were abnormal in eyes with central retinal vein occlusion, sug gesting impaired arterial blood flow associated with this disease. The high vascular resistance in the central retinal arteries, ophthalmic arteries, and short posterior ciliary arteries of both involved and cl inically healthy fellow eyes of patients with central retinal vein occ lusion suggests that diffuse small Vessel disease may predate and cont ribute to the development of central retinal vein occlusion.