Closed microsurgery for the sequelae of neovascularisation from veno-occlusive retinopathies

Our experience of closed microsurgery for vitreous haemorrhage and/or traction retinal detachment complicating extraretinal neovascularisation after retinal vein occlusion or Eales' and Behçet's periphlebitis is discussed. Many of these eyes represented a relatively simple management problem, but the visual outcome was often compromised by intrinsic macular damage. Some eyes had complicated vitreoretinal relationships which presented unexpected technical difficulties, while persisting retinal ischaemia posed the risk of rubeosis iridis or post-operative vitreous haemorrhage unless scatter endophotocoagulation was used.