Argon Laser Photocoagulation for Neovascularization in Retinal Vein Occlusion

ABSTRACT

We performed a retrospective study of 47 patients(47 eyes) with retinal vein occlusion who had treated with laser photocoagulation for neovascularization from January 1991 through January 1992. Only cases with a minimum of one year follow up were included in this study. The majority of patients were 50 year old(78.7%). Sixteen patients were male(34%) and thirty one patients were female(66%). The proportion of branch retinal vein occlusion and central retinal vein occlusion was 74.5%, 25.5%, respectively. New vessles elsewhere were developed in 36 eyes(76.6%), new vessles on the disc in 7 eyes(14.9%), and 4 eyes(8.5%) had both types of neovascularization. The percents of regression in neovascularization was 72.3% which ranged from 84% for under 10 disc diameter area of retinal ischemia to 64% for over 10 disc diameter area of retinal ischemia. Vitreous hemorrhage occured in 12 eyes(25.5%) within 1 year and especially when ischemic area was over 10 disc diameters and associated with systemic vascular diseases.