Current concepts in the management of central retinal vein occlusion

The results of the Central Vein Occlusion Study guide the management of complications of macular edema and neovascularization. Panretinal photocoagulation was shown to be beneficial for eyes with at least 2 hours of iris neovascularization or any angle neovascularization. Grid-pattern laser photocoagulation for perfused macular edema did not show a significant beneficial effect. Recently, several reports have suggested restoring venous outflow by 1) creating a chorioretinal anastomosis, 2) administering recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, 3) cannulating the retinal vein transvitreally, or 4) transecting the posterior scleral ring.