The Effects of Retinal Ischemia on Retinal Nerve Fiber Layers of Patients with Retinal Vein Occlusion

摘要

Purpose: To demonstrate the effects of retinal ischemia on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and the associated visual dysfunctions. Methods: 52 subjects with retinal vein occlusin (RVO) were studied both in RVO eyes and in the contra-lateral eyes via red-free light fundus photography. The semi-quantitative analysis of RNFL defects was done, and the severity of RNFL defects of the ischemic and the non-ischemic groups were compared. Results: The RNFL defects occurred in 75.5% of the total 53 eyes with RVO. The incidences of RNFL defects were significantly higher in eyes with cotton-wool spots and capillary non-perfusion than in other RVO eyes and controls. The RNFL defects were significantly severer in ischemic eyes than in non-ischemic ones. Conclusion: Retinal ischemia can result in RNFL defects, and the severity of RNFL defects was closely related to that of ischemia.