Materials and Methods: Six eyes of 6 patients with severe CRVO who underwent RON were reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative ophthalmologic examinations, color fundus photographs, fluorescein angiograms and macular thickness analysis by optical coherence tomography were used to evaluate the results of RON.

Results: RON was performed successfully in all 6 patients. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 8 months with a mean of 6.6 months. All patients had clinical improvement as determined by fundus examination, photography, and fluorescein angiography. Postoperative visual acuities were improved in 2 (33.3%) patients. At six month follow-up mean central macular thickness decreased from 560.6 to 281µm. Hemorrhage during RON at the incision site in one eye (16.6%) was the only encountered complication.

Conclusion: These preliminary results are encouraging when compared to the reported natural progression of severe CRVO. Further controlled studies with larger series and longer follow-up are needed to establish the safety and efficacy of RON in these cases. Keywords : Central retinal vein occlusion, radial optic neurotomy