COLOR-CODED DUPLEX SONOGRAPHY IN CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

Purpose: To evaluate the haemodynamic findings of orbital vessels in p atients with central retinal vein occlusion by colour coded duplex son ography. Methods: In 24 patients suffering from central retinal vein o cclusion, confirmed by ophthalmoscopy and fluorescence angiography, co lour-coded duplex sonography of central retinal vein, central retinal artery, posterior ciliary arteries and ophthalmic artery of the affect ed, and the unaffected contralateral eye, was performed and compared t o a control group (150 healthy subjects). Results: In eyes with centra l retinal vein occlusion, the maximum velocity of the central retinal vein was on average 4.55 cm/s (+/- 2.37 cm/s) and, as compared with th e unaffected eye (mean: 6.56 +/- 1.47 cm/s) and the control group (5.9 7 +/- 2.37 cm/s), reduced significantly. In the affected eyes, the end diastolic velocity of the central retinal artery was reduced and the pulsatility index was increased significantly, compared with the unaff ected eyes and the control group. Compared with the control group, the peak systolic and end diastolic velocities of the ophthalmic artery w ere significantly reduced. Conclusion: In conclusion, the findings ass essed by colour-coded duplex sonography show a flow reduction in the c entral retinal vein and an increased arterial flow resistance in the r etinal layer. There is good correlation with the angiographic results. Moreover, flow reductions in the ophthalmic artery, which are not see n in ophthalmological examinations, can be detected by this new examin ation technique.