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Researchers advise close observation after central retinal artery occlusion
Eur J Ophthalmol. 2010;20(6):1042-1046.
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A temporal relationship between thromboembolic central retinal artery occlusion and the onset of ocular neovascularization prompted case study authors to recommend vigilant observation.
"Prudent clinical practice would be to review all patients with acute CRAO at regular intervals as early as 2 weeks and up to 4 months post CRAO," the study authors said.
A retrospective audit of 33 patients with nonarteritic CRAO found an 18.2% rate of ocular neovascularization and a 15.2% rate of neovascular glaucoma. Mean time of onset of neovascularization was 8.5 weeks, and mean age of patients who developed this complication was 76.7 years.
Results are consistent with seven other studies published since 1980, which collectively reported the median rate of neovascularization as 18.6%. This study also corresponds with previous data suggesting that neovascularization occurs early, in this study as early as 2 weeks after CRAO.
The authors reported a comparatively high rate of neovascularization of the optic disc (12.2%), which they attributed to a possible bias of small sample size or underreporting in previous studies.