PROBLEMS OF CHORIORETINAL VENOUS ANASTOMOSIS BY LASER FOR TREATMENT OF NONISCHEMIC CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

Objectives: Evaluate the efficacy of chorioretinal venous anastomosis in patients with nonischemic retinal vein occlusions with progressive visual loss and to concentrate on complications. Design: Case series o f 6 patients, retrospective study. Six patients with nonischemic centr al retinal vein occlusions and progressive visual loss. Laser photocoa gulation was performed to create a chorioretinal venous anastomosis to be able to supply venous blood to the choroid, bypassing the occlusio n, Visual acuity, funduscopic appearance and fluorescein angiographic appearance were determined. Results: Two patients showed a chorioretin al anastomosis (33%), whereas in the other 4 patients the anastomosis could not be created. Yet 1 patient consequently had a neovascular tuf t under the laser site. These new vessels caused minor vitreous hemorr hage and a tractional membrane which regressed after 10 months. Conclu sion: The utilization of a chorioretinal venous anastomosis by laser a s a therapeutic modality should be further questioned and thoroughly e valuated and caution must be exercised to avoid vision-threatening com plications.