Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To evaluate the clinical course of younger patients ≤ 55 years old with recent onset (<4 months) of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods: Charts of all patients treated at a retina referral practice for CRVO were reviewed. Patients 55 years or younger with a CRVO of 4 months duration or less were included in this study. The following data were recorded: demographics, medical history, Snellen visual acuity (VA) and ocular findings, results of medical evaluation, outcome of treatment. Results: Twenty-nine consecutive patients (18 male, 11 female; mean age 44 years) were studied. Follow-up was at least 12 months (mean 32 months). Known risk factors were present in 12 patients (42%); medical work-up revealed systemic disease in 5 additional patients. Median presenting and final VA were 20/60. In patients presenting with VA ≥ 20/40 (n=12), final VA followed a bimodal distribution, remaining ≥ 20/40 in 7 patients and worsening to ≤ 20/400 in the other 5. In patients presenting with VA ≥ 20/200 (n=11), final VA improved to 20/60 or better in 6 patients. Neovascular glaucoma and neovascularization of the disc developed in two patients each (14% overall). There was no association between either age or presenting VA and final visual or anatomic outcome. Conclusion: In patients ≤ 55 years old, the natural course of CRVO is variable and may lead to significant visual debilitation, even in patients with initially good vision. Age and visual acuity at presentation may not be predictive of longterm clinical outcome.
Keywords: 615 vascular occlusion/vascular occlusive disease • 614 vascular cells • 566 retinal neovascularization