Materials and Methods: Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), ILM peeling and RON were performed in 7 eyes of 7 cases with CRVO, whose visual acuities were 0.1 or less in Snellen lines and who had preoperative period of at least 1 month. Photocoagulation was not done in any of the patients. In order to evaluate the outcomes of RON; full ophthalmological examination, colored fundus photography and fluorescein angiographies were done preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results: The mean period between CRVO development and surgery was 19.29±23.21 weeks (range:4-60); the mean postoperative follow-up period was 21.57±6.92 months (range:12-30). The mean visual acuity was 0.03±0.35 (0.01-0.1) preoperatively, 0.05±0.38 (0.01-0.1) postoperatively at the last followup (p=0.421). Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) revealed significant decrease in vascular dilatation and tortuosity in all 7 cases postoperatively. However, there were no significant changes in ischemic areas and macular edema. Chorioretinal anastomosis was detected in 3 of the 7 cases (43%). Postoperatively, 1 case had nasal artery branch occlusion and 1 case had epiretinal membrane formation and gliosis in RON site. None of the cases had postoperative rubeosis iridis or neovascular glaucoma.

Conclusion: In CRVO cases, PPV and RON results in significant improvement in angiographic vascular dilatation and tortuosity in early postoperative period, but it is not associated with any significant change in ischemia. For CRVO management, multi-centered randomised and controlled studies are needed, in order to define RON indication and appropriate treatment timing. Keywords : Central retinal vein occlusion, radial optic neurotomy