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Central retinal vein occlusion in young adults
Survey of Ophthalmology
|May 1, 1993
Summary
Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in young adults, often called papillophlebitis, typically occurs without systemic disease. While most patients regain good vision, some experience significant visual loss and complications.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is typically diagnosed in older adults with systemic vascular disease.
- CRVO can affect young, healthy adults, often linked to inflammation of the central retinal vein, termed papillophlebitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present an approach to the diagnostic evaluation of young adults experiencing CRVO.
- To discuss the varied terminology and clinical presentation of CRVO in young individuals.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical presentation and diagnostic considerations for CRVO in young adults.
- Discussion of proposed etiologies, including inflammation (papillophlebitis) and vasculitis.
Main Results:
- CRVO in young adults often presents unilaterally with optic disc edema, dilated and tortuous retinal veins, and retinal hemorrhages.
- While most cases show visual recovery to better than 20/40, approximately 20% experience significant vision loss or ocular sequelae.
Conclusions:
- CRVO in young adults, or papillophlebitis, is a distinct entity often occurring in otherwise healthy individuals.
- Current treatment modalities lack conclusive evidence of altering the natural history of this condition.