Retinal vascular occlusions and their treatment with low molecular weight dextran and vasodilators: report of six years' experience

Fifty-two cases of retinal vascular occlusions were treated with retrobulbar injection of lidocaine (Xylocaine) and acethylcholine and systemic administration of low molecular weight dextran and papaverine hydrochloride. Twenty-eight patients had arterial occlusion while 24 patients suffered from venous occlusion. Improvement in vision was observed in 13 eyes (46%) with arterial occlusion. Sixteen patients (66%) with venous occlusion showed improvement in vision. Only 9 cases (17.3%) recovered completely (3 arterial occlusion and 6 venous occlusion). Good results were achieved only if treatment was started shortly after the onset of the disease. Systemic side effects of low molecular weight dextran were observed in 6 cases, all of which were excluded from the present study. Despite the relatively good results obtained with the use of low molecular dextran combined with papaverine hydrochloride in the treatment of retinal vascular occlusions, this treatment cannot be considered a revolutionary breakthrough.