Radial optic neurotomy in central retinal vein occlusion does not influence ocular hemodynamics

radial optic neurotomy (RON) is used for the treatment of central retinal vein occlusion. Its effects on visual acuity differ substantially between patients. Our study aims to evaluate if RON has an impact on ocular microcirculation and if analysis of ocular microcirculation might serve as a predictor for surgical success.

a complete ophthalmologic examination including color Doppler imaging of the retrobulbar vessels was performed before and 2-4 months after RON in 12 patients.

mean visual acuity was 0.09 ± 0.03 prior to and 0.24 ± 0.12 after RON. Visual acuity improved in 7 (+3.5 ± 0.9 lines), was stable in 3 (± 0 lines) and worsened in 2 cases (-6 and -2 lines). Doppler parameters were not affected by RON, and no correlations between visual acuity and perfusion parameters were found.

Our data indicate that RON does not influence ocular microcirculation. None of the assessed hemodynamic parameters appears to be a predictor for surgical success.