| [ Summary ] |
Retinal vein occlusion often occurrs in maintenance hemodialysis patients, in association with hypertension, atherosclerosis, and high blood viscosity. Venous thrombosis in the central retinal vein, at optic disc, causes central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and in the retinal arteriovenous crossings causes branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Visual disturbances result from macular edema and angiogenesis-related vitreous hemorrhaging, retinal detachment, and glaucoma. Scatter laser photocoagulation is effective to avoid such neovascular pathologies. Regarding treatments for macular edema, grid laser photocoagulation is effective for BRVO but not for CRVO patients. Vitrectomy and intravitreal injection of tissue plasminogen activator have been demonstrated to be promising treatments for such conditions. |