NEOVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS AFTER CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

An 8-year retrospective study of patients suffering a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) was undertaken to study secondary new vessel for mation and whether pathologies known to predispose to CRVO influenced the occurrence of these neovascular complications and their responsive ness to treatment. Seventy-three patients were studied. Ocular neovasc ularisation had occurred in 60%. More specifically 39% developed neova scular glaucoma. Panretinal photocoagulation produced regression in on ly 37% of those with established neovascularisation and was unsuccessf ul in preventing neovascularisation in five patients treated prophylac tically. Patients with pre-existing primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) were statistically more likely to develop ocular neovascularisation ( p = 0.02), which was also less responsive to laser therapy (p = 0.02). Adequate prior glaucoma therapy did not protect against this enhanced complication rate. It was concluded that POAG is a significant risk f actor for developing ocular neovascularisation after CRVO which will b e refractory to laser therapy.