[Effects of anticoagulant therapy on retinal vein occlusion]

The combined effect of prostaglandin E1, stellate ganglion block, warfarin potassium and photocoagulation on 66 cases (eyes) of retinal vein occlusion was investigated immediately after, and 3 months and 6 months after final treatment. The time between onset and treatment was 2 months or less. Macular hemorrhage and edema were observed in all cases. The effectiveness rate 6 months after treatment was 35% in hemorrhagic central retinal vein occlusion and 63% in branch retinal vein occlusion. Visual acuity increased gradually with time from immediately after to 6 months after treatment. The effectiveness of treatment including warfarin potassium was lower than that of treatment without warfarin potassium in branch retinal vein occlusion, and many cases showed a marked decrease of visual acuity which might be related to the prolonged hemorrhage. These results suggest that combining prostaglandin E1, stellate ganglion block and photocoagulation in retinal vein occlusion produces better effects on visual acuity than ordinary treatment or spontaneous regression.