COMBINED CENTRAL RETINAL ARTERY-CENTRAL VEIN OBSTRUCTION

The cases of 23 patients with unilateral combined central retinal arte ry-central retinal vein obstruction are described. Criteria for the ab normality included: a history of relatively sudden visual loss; superf icial retinal whitening in the posterior pole in combination with a ch erry spot; and intraretinal blood, generally associated with dilated a nd/or tortuous retinal veins. In five instances (22%) the obstructions developed after retrobulbar injection. Among the 21 patients with fol lowup for at least 6 months, or until the onset of neovascularization of the iris, 17 (81%) developed rubeosis iridis. Late histopathology w as obtained in two eyes. Hemorrhagic necrosis of the retina was observ ed in some areas of the posterior pole and attenuation of the inner re tinal layers, similar to that seen with late central retinal artery ob struction, was noted elsewhere. Periphlebitis of the central retinal v ein within the optic nerve was found in each case.