Cilioretinal Artery Occlusion

 

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Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate characteristic findings and functional outcome of this rare type of retinal vascular occlusion in a large patient series. Patients and Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients with a cilioretinal artery obstruction (CAO) seen at the University Eye Clinic Mainz (Germany) over a ten-year period between 1/1999 and 12/2008 was undertaken. The mean follow-up amounted to 42 months. Results: Thirty-three eyes were diagnosed with CAO. Three distinct groups were differentiated: (i) isolated CAO in 20/33 eyes; visual outcome achieving 20/50 in 17/20 eyes; (ii) CAO combined with central retinal vein occlusion in 9/33 eyes; visual outcome achieving 20/50 in 5/9 eyes; (iii) CAO combined with anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy in 4/33 eyes; associated with giant cell arteriitis in 4/4 eyes; visual outcome achieving 20/160 in 1/4 eyes. Conclusions: The visual prognosis of CAO is significantly better than for other types of retinal artery occlusions, with the exception of cases associated with giant cell arteriitis.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund: Auswertung charakteristischer Befunde und Funktionsergebnisse dieses seltenen Verschlusstyps eines arteriellen Netzhautgefäßes in einem großen Patientenkollektiv. Patienten und Methoden: Retrospektive Analyse der Krankenblattunterlagen aller Patienten mit zilioretinalem Arteriolenverschluss, die an der Universitäts-Augenklinik Mainz (Deutschland) in der Dekade 1.1999 bis 12.2008 diagnostiziert wurden. Median der Nachbeobachtung waren 42 Monate. Ergebnisse: Bei 33 Augen mit einem zilioretinalen Arteriolenverschluss wurden 3 Gruppen unterschieden: (1) isolierter zilioretinaler Verschluss in 20/33 Augen mit einer Endsehschärfe von mindestens 0,4 in 17/20 Augen; (2) zilioretinaler Verschluss kombiniert mit Zentralvenenverschluss in 9/33 Augen mit einer Endsehschärfe von mindestens 0,4 in 5/9 Augen; (3) zilioretinaler Verschluss kombiniert mit anteriorer ischämischer Optikusneuropathie in 4/33 Augen, assoziiert mit Riesenzellarteriitis in 4/4 Augen und einer Endsehschärfe von mindestens 0,12 in 1/4 Augen. Schlussfolgerung: Die Visusprognose von zilioretinalen arteriellen Verschlüssen ist signifikant besser als bei anderen Gefäßverschlüssen der Netzhaut, ausgenommen sind Fälle mit assoziierter Riesenzellenarteriitis.

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