Retinal vein
occlusion wasfirst
described in 1855 by
Liebreich as retinal
apoplexy
In 1878 Julius Von
Michel interpreted
finding as Central
vein thrombosis
HISTORY
BRVO was
described by Leber
in 1877 and Oeller
in 1896
3.
INTRODUCTION
• RVO isan obstruction of retinal venous system involving central, hemicentral or branch retinal vein.
• Retinal vein thrombosis is 2nd
M.C. Retinal vascular disease after DR.
• Incidence of retinal vein occlusions varies from 2 to 8 per 1,000 persons
4.
INTRODUCTION
Central retinal veinocclusion
• CRVO results from thrombosis of CRV when vein passes through the lamina cribrosa.
• CRVO can occur at all ages, with mean age between 60 and 70 years.
• Prevalence of CRVO is around <0.1% to 0.4%.
• CRVO is usually unilateral disease.
• Occurs predominantly in elderly population (>65yrs).
• Affects male & female equally.
5.
Branch retinal veinocclusion (BRVO)
• BRVO is 3 times more common than CRVO
• BRVO (78%) is slightly more often seen than CRVO
• An overall prevalence of BRVO of between 0.6% and 1.6%
• Prevalence of BRVO varies between 0.6% and 1.6%
• BRVO is unilateral in 90% of patients and occurs most commonly in 7th
decade
• Majority of patients superotemporal veinis affected.
• 44–60% of patients with BRVO, superotemporal vein is affected and remainder (22–43%) occur in inferotemporal quadrant.
• BRVOs can be subdivided into major BRVOs and macular BRVOs with different prognosis and management.
• Risk of recurrence is low. Can occur in younger population.
• Patients with BRVO are older than patients with CRVO at primary onset of disease.
• First onset of disease 54% of patients with BRVO are 65 years or older, 41% are between 45 and 64 years old and 5% are
younger than 45 year
6.
• BRVO occursat an arteriovenous (AV) crossings or at edge of optic disk as hemicentral retinal vein occlusion (HCRVO).
• Observation that BRVO occurs at AV intersections was made over 100 years ago by Leber.
• HCRVO pathologically is a variant of CRVO, which affects half of retina.
• BRVO can be subdivided with respect to extent and location of occluded area.
• Major BRVOs involve one of major branch retinal veins usually near optic disk affecting a quarter or more of retina
• Macular BRVOs involve one of the macular venules and a segment of the macular retina only.
• BRVO is seen more often in females than males.
• BRVO affects right eye more frequently than left eye.
• Both eyes are involved equally.
Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)
7.
CRVO BRVO
Chief complaints
•Sudden painless loss of vision
• Pain & redness d/t NVG with high IOP
Sudden, painless DOV / Blurred
vision/onset of field defect
Metamorphopsia indicating ME
Sudden onset floaters to complete loss
of vision in VH
H/O Present illness
• Sudden painless loss of vision in one
eye
• Ischemic CRVO:-Marked deterioration
of VA on waking in morning
• NonIschemic CRVO:-No symptoms
• Macular edema:-Decreased contrast
sensitivity,micropsia,macropsia,metamo
rphopsia,scotoma
• Partially recovered CRVO:-Visual field
loss/constriction
• Complete documentation of onset
duration & progress of visual
complaints.
Clinical Features
8.
1. Cardiovascular
2. Atheroscleroticheartdisease
3. Arterial hypertension
4. Diabetes mellitus
5. Hyperlipidemia
6. Obesity
7. Smoking
8. Carotid artery occlusive disease (ischemic CRVO)
9. Rheological abnormalities
10. Increased hematocrit
11. Increased plasma viscosity
12. Increased red cell aggregation
13. Reduced red cell deformability
14. Thrombophilia
15. Hyperhomocysteinemia
16. Anti-phospholipid syndrome
17. Increased APC resistance / FV Leiden mutation (young patients)
18. Reduced plasminogen activator inhibitor
19. Oralcontraceptives
Local risk factos:-
1. Glaucoma
2. Trauma
3. Retinal vasculitis
4. Central artery occlusion
5. Drusen,
6. papilledema
7. Arterio venous malformation
8. Hyper viscosity syndromes
9. Polycythemia
10. Macroglobulinemia
11. Myeloma
12. Leukemia
Risk factors and associated diseases in CRVO
• Crowding/Compression at the level of O.D. & systemic d/os predisposing to thromboembolic disease or disease of vascular
wall M.C. risk factors.
• Triggering mostly happens at night time in recumbent position probably by low B.P. ,and / or high central venous pressure.
• Hyperviscosity and thrombophilia seem to facilitate development of CRVO.
• Triggering mostly happens at night time in recumbent position probably by low B.P. ,and / or high central venous pressure.
9.
Risk factors inBRVO What to look
Age >60yrs
HTN Blood pressure
Diabetes mellitus RBS,PPSB, HbA1c
Coagulopathy
I. Hyperhomocysteinemia
II. Factor 5 leiden mutation
III. Antiphospholipid Ab syndrome
IV. Protein C/S deficiency
I. Serum homocysteine
II. Activated protein C resistance
III. Antiphospholipid Ab
IV. Free Protein C/S Ag
Inflammatory
a) Bechets
b) Sarcoidosis
c) Wegener’s
a) HLA B51, Pathergy Test
b) Serum ACE,Chest X-Ray,Chest CT
c) C-ANCA,Chest X-Ray
Infections
i. TB
ii. Syphilis
iii. Lyme’s
iv. HIV
i. Mantoux test,Chest X-ray
ii. VDRL
iii. ELISA & Westetrn Blot
iv. ELISA
Chronic renal failure RFT
Smoking,Oral contraceptive,Dehydration History
10.
Pathogenesis can berepresented in three circles
Transition into severe
neovascular disease
Development of retinopathy
Triggering of venous outflow reduction by
narrowing of vein and partial thrombosis
01
03
02
11.
3
factors
could
lead to
CRVO
Compression bycentral
retinal artery and
cribriform plate
Degenerative
and/ or
inflammatory
disease within the
vein.
Hemodynamic
disturbances leading to
stagnation and primary
thrombus formation
AV intersection with hypertensive changes. AV crossing showing a common wall
predisposing vein to degenerative changes in
arterial wall
13.
Pathogenesis of BRVO
Causeof BRVO is multifactorial process:-
Mechanical obstruction by degenerative changes in arterioles
Abnormal blood constituents
Impedance of blood flow causing increased blood viscosity
Endothelial damage
• Retinal veins are significantly influenced by pathology of neighboring retinal arteries d/t common wall at crossing sit.
• BRVO may lead to partial occlusion of lumen,rarely to complete obstruction.
• Inflammatory component in thrombus and vessel wall
• Hypoxia stimulates increase of VEGF
• Vitreous attachment at macula or at AV crossings may play important pathogenetic role.
• Mechanical obstruction and others have suggested that BRVO is a result of arterial insufficiency.
• BRVOs are typically located at arterial overcrossings suggests hemodynamic difference between arterial and venous
overcrossings.
14.
Pathological process atsite of occlusion consists of:-
Degenerative changes in vessel walls
Abnormal blood constituents
Blood flow (stasis)
• These three classical components, known as Virchow’s triad, that play a role in thrombogenesis are interrelated.
• Thrombus of branch vein was primary event and other vascular changes occurred secondarily.
• Deviation of retinal vein at crossing sites lead to consecutive hemodynamic turbulence and thus predispose to thrombus
formation at crossing sites.
• Difference in distension of vein lying beneath artery within retina as opposed to between internal limiting membrane and artery
explain disparity of risk between arterial and venous overcrossings.
• Primary event of retinal vein occlusion includes endothelial cell proliferation in vein wall associated either with degeneration of
endothelium and secondary thrombus formation.
• Strong associations between BRVO and hypertension, focal arteriolar narrowing and arteriovenous nicking.
15.
• Arterial stiffnessis increased in patients with BRVO.
• Localized arteriosclerotic processes contribute to stasis and occlusion in adjacent retinal veins.
• In BRVO impedance of blood flow is virtually always at AV crossings where there is either pressure on the vein or a thickened
wall due to arterial disease or endothelial proliferation, or both.
• More eyes with BRVO develop partial vitreous separation.
• Eyes with decreased axial length and hyperopia are at increased risk for BRVO because of the higher likelihood of vitreomacular
attachment at AV crossings
Pathogenesis of BRVO
16.
OCULAR EXAMINATION:-
Visual
Acuity
Ocular
adnexa &
globe
Conjunctiva
Sclera
Nonischemic CRVO Ischemic CRVO
Normal / >6/60 Marked deterioration of vision
especially waking in morning <6/60
Proptosis in case of tumour
Skin examination for signs of
coagulopathy,collagen vascular
d/o & infection
Pt with Glaucoma have conjunctival bleb
In Coagulopathies conjunctival hemorrhage
may be present
PUK in case of SLE & PAN Cornea Nodular scleritis
17.
OCULAR EXAMINATION Cont.:-
A.C.
IOP
Pupil Lens
Shallow in ACG / Short
axial length
KPs,cells & flare in
vasculitis,sarcoidosis,HIV
Iris
RAPD in suspected case of
vascular occlusion
NVI OR NVA may
be there
Complicated cataract in
inflammatory conditions
Raised IOP d/t NVG,
underlying open
angle glaucoma
18.
Anatomy and Histopathologyof BRVO
• BRVO typically occurs at AV crossing sites.
• Arterial overcrossings are at a higher risk of BRVO.
• Adjacent artery is usually narrowed and sclerotic,obstructed branch vein dilated.
• As branch retinal artery and vein converge on each other, at crossing sites outermost components of their walls, the
adventitia, fuse
• Common wall may be extremely thin
• Lymphocytes infiltrate thrombus and vessel walls
• Vein recanalizes, but with persisting retinal damage around it.
• At the site of a BRVO an arterial overcrossing was present in 97.6% of eyes and a venous overcrossing only in 2.4%.
• Arterial overcrossings are at higher risk of BRVO than venous overcrossings
• The risk of BRVO in an eye is proportional to the number of arterial overcrossings in the eye and this type of overcrossing is
most common in the temporal superior quadrant.
19.
• The veindeviates around artery, dipping deep into retina in arterial overcrossing.
• Ophthalmoscopic appearance of compression is caused by thickening of adventitial sheath and surrounding glial proliferation,
both of which are less transparent tissues.
• Fusion of vessel walls can continue until artery and veins share a common medium as they cross.
• Common wall measured 4 μm at occlusion site.
• Ischemic type represents hemorrhagic infarct of retina with extracellular edema in nerve fiber and ganglion cell layer, causing
dilation and congestion of vein and rhexis hemorrhages from capillaries mainly in nerve fiber layer (scattered superficial) but
also in deeper layers (spherical).
• In both types of BRVO, retinal hemorrhages and ischemic necrotic areas reabsorb after months, resulting often in glial scar.
• During recirculation affected capillaries reopen, and with dilation AV anastomoses develop bridging destructed area.
• Later stages irreversible fibrotic alterations of vascular structure occur.
Anatomy and Histopathology of BRVO
20.
Fundus
Early features ofCRVO
Fresh CRVO:-
Mild changes with few superficial, flame-shaped bleedings,
Slight engorgement of the veins,
Hyperemia and swelling of the optic nerve head ,
Dense, and more extended bleedings,
Strongly dilated and tortuous dark blue veins
Gigantic papilledema with vitreous bleedings on top.
Intraretinal bleedings are spread over the whole fundus and are mostly flame shaped in areas with a thick nerve fiber layer, i.e.,
around the optic nerve head. They can also occur as more deeply located dot and blot bleedings at the posterior pole or as spots in
the periphery.
Cotton-wool spots are signs of small capillary dropouts and hence of local ischemia.Found in all types of CRVO.
Macular edema in all retinal vein occlusions with loss of vision, of the cystoid extracellular type.
The swelling of the papilla is always marked, the margin often being obscured by cotton-wool spots and bleedings “papillophlebitis”
21.
CRVO of amild type with heavy bleedings with few bleedings and
engorgement of the veins
with vitreous bleeding,
all with macular edema
CRVO with deeply located dot
and blot bleedings
CRVO with dominance
of papilledema
22.
Early Findings ofBRVO
• Include edema and scattered superficial and deep retinal hemorrhages over a triangular retinal sector whose apex is located
to occlusion site.
• Obstructed vein is characteristically dilated and tortuous distal to occlusion, and associated artery is narrowed and sclerotic.
• Dilated capillaries and microaneurysms are found in area of BRVO.
• Cotton wool spots may be present indicating ischemia.
• Nearer the occlusion occurs to optic disk,greater the extent of affected retina and more serious the complications.
• Cystoid macular edema may be present.
• Macular BRVO may show only subtle features, such as microaneurysms in limited sector.
23.
• The firstophthalmoscopic signs are fine retinal hemorrhages at AV crossing site.
• Distal from crossing site vein appears dilated, congested and tortuous.
• Retinal edema in involved area is usually present.
• Involved retina demonstrates variable degrees of scattered superficial and deep retinal hemorrhages which respect the
horizontal midline.
• Superficial hemorrhages are located in nerve fiber layer and follow nerve fiber layer course in an arcuate wedge of retina
having its apex at site of obstruction.
• Resorption of hemorrhages takes several months upto a year.
• Retina involved depends on size and location of affected vein.
• Macular BRVO is a subgroup that show only subtle clinical and angiographic clues, such as microaneurysms in a limited sector
of macular region.
Early Findings of BRVO
24.
• Visual acuityadversely affected due to macular edema or central ischemic damage.
• Nearer the occlusion occurs to optic disk, greater the extent of affected retina and more serious the complications.
• When ischemia results in nerve fiber infarct, cotton wool spots develop.
• Retinal vein thrombosis causes increased venous pressure and lead to retinal capillary decompensation with macular edema,
which is the most frequent cause of loss of vision in BRVO.
• At macula, edema is clinically recognized by thickening of the macular retina that is often accompanied by cystoid spaces.
• Microvascular abnormalities of BRVO include dilated capillaries and microaneurysms that develop within area of vein occlusion.
• Chronic leakage from these abnormal vessels contribute to macular edema and cause deposition of lipid exudates in retina.
• Large capillary or venous macroaneurysms may develop within the territory of BRVO as well.
• Serous retinal detachment with massive macular hard exudates are rare complications of BRVO.
Early Findings of BRVO
25.
Major BRVO ofthe left eye affecting the
superotemporal vein with superficial flame
hemorrhages distal to the occlusion site.
Associated artery appears narrowed and
sclerotic
Macular BRVO with fine
superficial hemorrhages
BRVO involving supero
temporal vein with flame-
shaped retinal hemorrhages
radiating in wedge
26.
Late features ofCRVO
• The streaky bleedings become blurred or begin to slowly disappear.
• Engorgement of the veins becomes less, and the vessel walls lose their transparency and whiten.
• Cilioretinal collaterals on the papilla are a very characteristic sign of a several-weeks-to-months-old CRVO.
• Macular edema first increases and with the ensuing reduction after months and years,a dry, pigmented scar may be the
clue indicating an old CRVO.
• Serous retinal detachment over wide areas with hard exudates may then develop.
• The first sign proving an ischemic CRVO is neovascular disease of the iris.
• Untreated rubeosis iridis may lead to occlusion of the chamber angle with secondary glaucoma and hyphema
27.
CRVO with many
cotton-woolspots
CRVO of the perfused exudative
type after 1 year
CRVO after months to years
with a collateral
typical macular scar
• Occluded, sheathedretinal venules in affected area.
• Chronic leakage leading to chronic cystoid macular edema and lipid exudate deposition.
• Collateral vessel formation at edge of affected area located temporal to fovea draining into uninvolved quadrant.
• Retinal neovascularizations (NVEs) develop in one-third of patients with major BRVO.
• NVEs occur at border of perfused and non perfused retina; neovascularization at disk (NVD) is rare.
• Significant risk for neovascularization exists when the area of capillary non perfusion exceeds 5 disk diameter.
• Neovascularization of iris is extremely rare.
• Complications of neovascularization include VH and fibrovascular membranes with consecutive TRD.
• Late complications are epiretinal membranes, hard exudates, chronic cystoid macular edema, retinal pigmentary dispersion,
subretinal fibrosis and macular hole formation.
• Older BRVOs are characterized by occluded and sheathed retinal venules in affected sector.
Late Findings and Complications of BRVO
31.
• Weeks tomonths after onset of BRVO, collateral vessel formation observed characteristically located at edge of involved area.
• Collaterals are usually small tortuous venous channels that cross horizontal raphe mostly temporal to fovea and drain into
venous circulation of uninvolved quadrant from retinal neovascularizations.
• Collaterals pass from territory of occlusion to a point proximal to site of occlusion or to an uninvolved vein.
• Take the form of vein to vein anastomosis, bypassing occluded segment and then exiting through central retinal vein.
• Reversal of blood flow toward arterial system can also occur in response to elevated venous pressure.
• AV shunts that bypass capillary bed may occur at AV crossing site, whereas in some instances unrelieved venous pressure can
result in rupture of vein wall.
• Risk of complications can be attributed to location of BRVO, extent and severity of damage, and adequacy of compensatory
mechanisms.
• Retinal neovascularization may occur at border of perfused and non-perfused retina.
Late Findings and Complications of BRVO
32.
• Neovascularization ofdisk is less common, and it tends to be concurrent with retinal neovascularization.
• Risk for development of retinal neovascularization exists when area of capillary nonperfusion exceeds 5 disk diameters.
• In ischemic type of BRVO, risk for neovascularization is 36%, whereas it is 22% overall.
• 28.8% incidence of retinal neovascularization following major BRVO.
• Majority of untreated eyes with retinal neovascularization will develop VH.
• Advanced stages, preretinal hemorrhage and vitreous hemorrhage, & rarely fibrovascular membranes with consecutive TRD,
may develop.
• Rhegmatogenous RDis rare complication of BRVO, but when breaks occur they tend to be located posterior to equator and
result from traction exerted by fibrovascular proliferation or secondary to ischemic retinal degeneration with hole formation.
• VH occur in approximately 7–20% of patients with BRVO.
• Complications in later stages include macular pucker, chronic cystoid macular edema, retinal pigmentary dispersion, subretinal
scarring, macular hole and atrophy of inner retinal layers.
• Permanent and vision-limiting RPE changes can develop from long-standing edema.
Late Findings and Complications of BRVO
33.
blockage at siteof cotton wool spots
and cystoid macular edema
Macular BRVO with intense
cotton wool spot formation.
Cystoid changes
Early phase Late phase
34.
Chronic long-standing BRVOwith
deposition of lipid exudates and small
tortuous collateral vessels crossing
horizontal raphe
Long-standing mid peripheral BRVO with
associated serous retinal detachment, lipid
exudates and foveal pigmentary dispersion
Long-standing BRVO affecting
supero temporal vein with sheathed
retinal venules and massive hard
exudates
Occluded and sheathed retinal venules in
longstanding BRVO affecting supero
temporal quadrant with
neovascularization
Retinal neovascularization secondary to BRVO in superior mid periphery and at optic
disk causing subhyaloidal hemorrhage
BRVO with secondary neovascularization,
consecutive preretinal hemorrhage involving
macula, retinal edema, lipid exudates and
sheathed venules
long-standing HCRVO affecting
superior quadrants.
35.
leakage of newvessels
Extensive capillary non perfusion and
neovascularization
Neovascularization
Long-standing HCRVO affecting the superior
quadrants.
FFA to r/o
Macular ischemia
Determine type of CRVO
Detect NVD & NVE
CRVO
Non
ischemic
Ischemic
Capillary nonperfusion <10
disc areas
Capillary nonperfusion >10
disc areas
non-ischemic CRVO after 2 months
largely non-perfused ischemic CRVO
FUNDUS FLUORESCEIN ANGIOGRAPHY
41.
wall staining oflarge veins of mild type cystoid macular edema in a
non-ischemic CRVO after 6
months
Marked delay in AV transit time
Blocked fluorescence/t retinal
hemorrhage
Vessel wall staining
Areas of non-perfusion
Collaterals
NVD
NVE
Macular edema
Angiographic Features of CRVO
42.
Angiographic Features ofBRVO
Delayed filling of the occluded retinal vein
Blocked fluorescence d/t intraretinal hemorrhage
Microaneurysms
Dye extravasation secondary to macular edema
Telangiectactic collateral vessels
Cpillary non perfusion
Retinal neovascularization
Macular edema
Perfused
Non perfused
(ischemic)
Areas of macular
leakage with normal
FAZ
Distorted & enlarged FAZ
43.
Early phase
delayed venousfilling as well as venous dilation and tortuosity
distal from the occlusion site, and retinal edema
Late phase
44.
Angiographic Features ofBRVO
• In BRVO reflect changes in permeability, caliber, and patency of retinal vessels.
• Fluorescein angiography (FLA) distinguish leakage without capillary nonperfusion from leakage with capillary nonperfusio.
• Intact perifoveal capillary perfusion is prerequisite for macular grid laser photocoagulation
• FLA maps out extent of ischemia assisting in detection of patients at higher risk of neovascularization and those requiring closer
follow-up examinations
• Peripheral FLA helpful to detect whole extent of avascular area.
• FLA distinguish collateral vessel formation (which do not leak) from retinal neovascularization.
• Later stages, diagnosis of BRVO established with help of FLA
• Macular edema are associated with disruption in BRB at level of retinal capillaries.
• Changes in the permeability, caliber, and patency of retinal vessels.
45.
• Venous fillingin area of occlusion is delayed and fluorescein column is narrowed at site of occlusion.
• Small area of early hyperfluorescence observed just proximal to occlusion site.
• Macular edema with good capillary perfusion is associated with fluorescein leakage on fluorescein angiogram since edema is
of vasogenic type, with leakage of fluorescein molecule occurring through break in BRB.
• FLA maps out extent of ischemia assisting in detection of patients at higher risk of neovascularization and those requiring
closer follow-up examination.
• Later stages, after reabsorption of hemorrhages, diagnosis of BRVO established with help of FLA.
• Peripheral angiography is helpful to detect whole extent of avascular area.
• FLA distinguish collateral vessel formation from retinal neovascularization at edge of affected area.
• In neovascularizations, shunt vessels do not leak.
• Angiographic findings of BRVO are vascular abnormalities including capillary dilatation, microaneurysms and retinal edema.
Angiographic Features of BRVO
46.
Early phase Latephase
Cystoid macular edema
Associated retinal and macular edema extending to
foveal center together with cystoid spaces
47.
WIDE-FIELD ANGIOGRAPHY
UWAgives 200 degrees field of vision.
Use:-
1. Determine extent of peripheral capillary non-perfusion
2. Helps in targeted laser
3. Pick up neovascularization
48.
Optical Coherence Tomographyin BRVO
• OCT determine presence of macular edema, foveal thickness and cystoid changes, but delivers 2D morphologic information.
• Demonstrate vitreofoveal adhesions.
• Important and sensitive tool with which to assess extent of macular edema in patients with BRVO and their response to t/t.
• Cross-sectional OCT image of macular edema associated with BRVO shows intraretinal cystic spaces delineating uninvolved
and affected area.
• Serous detachment distinguished from intraretinal and subretinal fluid accumulation.
• Exact evaluation of vitreoretinal interface visualizing vitreofoveal adhesions, macular thinning, in complete or full thickness
ruptured cysts.
• Foveal retinal thickness measured by OCT in pts with BRVO correlated with VA and multifocal ERGs from central retinal area
49.
Optical Coherence Tomographyin CRVO
Use:-
Assessment of macular edema
Detect cystic spaces,retinal thickening,serous RD
Detect ERM & VMA in long standing cases
Macular
edema
Mechanism of intravitrealsteroid:-
1) Reducing vascular permeability
2) Inhibiting expression of VEGF gene
Ozurdex FDA approved for t/t of macular edema secondary to CRVO
Intravitreal anti-VEGF are the 1st
line therapy for macular edema
52.
Ocular
neovascularization
PRP shouldbe delivered after development of NVI/NVA to prevent secondary complications
Laser should be delivered as anterior as possible
Prophylactic PRP in cases of ischemic CRVO
Scatter LC pattern covering involved segment,
sparing area within two disk diameters of fovea
53.
Vitrectomy
Indication:-
Non-resolving VH
TRD secondary to retinal neovascularization
surgical arteriovenous decompression with dissection of the
commonadventitial sheath at the occlusion site using a bent
microvitreoretinal blade
54.
Other
modalitie
s
1
2 3
4 5
Systemicanticoagulants
(Prevent non ocular
thrombotic events)
Oral pentoxifylline
(hemodilultion/vasodilator)
Recombinant tissue plasminogen
activator (r-Tpa)
Chorioretinal venous anastomosis
between nasal branch of retinal vein &
choroidl circulation using Nd:YAG laser
in nonischemic CRVO
Radial optic neurotomy