Intraretinal Hemorrhages Research Articles

Clinical and Electrophysiological Course of Acute Syphilitic Posterior Placoid Chorioretinitis

Syphilis can affect the anterior as well as the posterior segment of the eye at any stage. A 52-year-old man was referred to our clinic because of acute loss of his vision and hearing. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was counting fingers (CF) right and 0.05 left eye, respectively. Fundoscopy revealed bilateral intraretinal macular haemorrhages and a large yellowish edematous lesion involving macula and midperipheral retina. Fluorescein angiography showed diffuse late edema. The visual field showed a defect corresponding to the edematous lesion. The "Ganzfeld" electroretinogram (ERG) was markedly reduced and the multifocal ERG in the affected area was not recordable. VDRL, FTA-Abs and TPHA tests in serum and cerebrospinal fluid were positive. Intravenous penicillin therapy was initiated. BCVA, visual field and ERG eventually recovered completely. Syphilis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in any unclear inflammatory ocular condition. Awareness of syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinitis allows rapid diagnosis and therapy.

New micro vertical scissors for the surgical ablation of retinal angiomatous proliferation

To develop new micro vertical scissors for the ablation of retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) to minimize possible retinal damage. Interventional case report. New micro vertical scissors were developed and used for the ablation of RAP vessels. The length of the inner side of the tip is 180 microm, which is approximately one seventh that of regular vertical scissors. The scissors handled easily and the RAP vessels were ablated with less retinal damage compared with that associated with use of standard vertical scissors. Postoperatively, intraretinal hemorrhage was reduced and hyperfluorescence seen on indocyanine green angiography resolved. The new micro vertical scissors developed for the ablation of RAP vessels can be used safely and effectively during this surgical procedure.

Radiation retinopathy in patients treated for sinus and epipharingeal malignancies

Radiation retinopathy is vasculopathy induced by ionising radiation delivered by either brachytherapy or teletherapy for ocular and nonocular malignancies. The first signs of radiation retinopathy typically occur a few months to a few years after the exposure to ionizing radiation. In the 3 of our patients, changes like capillary telangiectasia, microaneurysms, intraretinal hemorrhages, hard exudation, and capillary nonperfusion showed a clinical picture of macular edema. Two of the patients were suspected of diabetic retinopathy, and 1 patient had optic neuropathy. In our group of patients a latent period was between 3 and 8 years. The incidence of radiation retinopathy increases significantly with the total doses of radiation above 45 Gy, and, thus, it has not been found in the lower doses. Radiation retinopathy is a diagnostical and therapentical problem. Clinical picture can be identical to that of diabetic retinopathy suggesting a common pathophysiologic mechanism of the damage to capillary endothelial cells, and the importance of clinical examination, anamnesis and fluorescein angiography.

Décollement séreux maculaire révélateur d’une leucémie aiguë lymphoblastique

Leukemias are a group of malignant diseases caused by immature hematopoietic cells proliferating in the blood marrow. Some manifestations result from ocular-orbital involvement, which usually occurs through the central nervous system. Other manifestations stem from vasculopathy and/or hemorheologic disorders (anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperviscosity).We report a case of a 42-year-old women presenting with loss of vision caused by serous macular detachment. The investigations showed the diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Steroids and chemotherapy led to complete remission with normal visual acuity during a follow-up of 29 months.Ocular involvement is seen in 28%-80% of leukemia cases. The most obvious findings are the presence of retinal hemorrhages, which are most commonly located in the posterior pole. The intraretinal hemorrhage may contain a white component that usually is a white dot in the center of the hemorrhage, but other clinical features are described. Serous detachment of the neuroepithelium is seldom reported, and can be the first symptom of the disease. Other ocular findings include infiltrative involvement of the chorioretina, anterior segment involvement, and orbital location. Ocular location is estimated to be an equivalent of central nervous system involvement, and subsequently requires adequate treatment (steroids, chemotherapy and radiotherapy of the central nervous system).Ocular manifestations of leukemia are frequent but rarely reveal the disease. Serous detachment is rarer. However, the diagnosis of leukemia should be considered in case of pigmentary epithelium involvement.

Role of Early Radial Optic Neurotomy in Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

To determine safety, clinical and visual results, and potential complications of early radial optic neurotomy (RON) surgery in eyes with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), with relative afferent pupillary defect and visual acuity This prospective, interventional case-series included 24 patients of CRVO who underwent RON within 2 months of disease onset. The preoperative examination included slitlamp biomicroscopy, fundus photography and fluorescein angiography. Foveal thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the last 6 eyes only. In each case, RON was performed after informed consent. Two radial incisions were placed in the nasal quadrant of the optic disc, using a micro-vitreoretinal blade. The postoperative change in vision, clinical picture, fundus photographs, angiograms and foveal thickness by OCT were the main outcome variables studied. The Wilcoxan signed test was used to assess the results. Average symptom duration was 37.8 +/- 15.2 days (range 15-60 days, median: 34.5 days) and follow-up 7.7 +/- 2.1 months (range 1-12 months, median: 8 months). Visual outcome: 2 (8.33%) eyes each had fall and preservation of pre-RON visual acuity respectively. Twenty eyes (83.33%) showed increase in vision (of average 3 lines). Pre and postoperative vision ranged from 0.017-0.1 (average:0.061) and 0.017-0.667 (average: 0.17) respectively (P < 0.05). Clinical and angiographic outcome: decline in macular oedema, decreased or resolved intraretinal haemorrhages, resolution of venous dilatation and disc oedema could be appreciated in all cases. Foveal thickness: average pre and postoperative foveal thickness was 834.17 microm and 556.17 microm respectively (P < 0.05) in the 6 eyes where it was measured before and after RON. One eye developed retinal-detachment. Radial optic neurotomy is better than the natural course in eyes with CRVO, with vision < 6/60.

Retinal angiomatous proliferation with a cilioretinal artery anastomosis: an unusual presentation

To report an unusual phenotype of retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its short-term response to laser photocoagulation. Case report. An 85-year-old woman was found to have an unusual RAP with a major feeder vessel originating from a cilioretinal artery and associated with a cilioretinal-retinal anastomosis (C-RRA). Diffuse cystoid macular edema (CME), intraretinal hard exudates in a circinate pattern, and a fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment (PED) were present. Laser photocoagulation was performed and led to occlusion of the cilioretinal feeder vessel and angiomatous lesion, with less CME. The other (retinal) arm of the C-RRA became more engorged and a new cilioretinal feeder developed, and both were associated with intraretinal hemorrhages. Visual acuity was stable and the PED persisted throughout follow-up. We report an unusual phenotype of RAP that is associated with a major cilioretinal feeder vessel and comment on the possible effect of such an association on the response to laser treatment.

Ocular changes due to systemic alpha-interferon therapy for hepatitis C

PURPOSE: To describe ocular (specially fundoscopic) changes due to systemic alpha-interferon (IFN) therapy in patients with hepatitis C. This is a prospective, descriptive and observational (non-interventional) study, and its results are preliminary. METHODS: Patients were selected with indication of alpha-interferon therapy for hepatitis C. They underwent ocular examinations before therapy and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after starting the therapy. HIV patients and those who had a history of previous treatment with alpha-interferon were excluded from the study, but examined. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were selected from November 1999 to June 2000. The male-to-female ratio was 1.55. The age average was 47 years. The best corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/15 to 20/40. Most of the symptomatic patients complained of foreign body sensation in the eyes, which became more tolerable with time. Complaints comprised flu-like symptoms, joint pain, depression, headache, and general weakness. Ocular findings related to alpha-interferon were: cotton wool spots (3 eyes) and intraretinal hemorrhage (1 eye). One patient died during the study, due to another disease not related to hepatitis, and one patient refused to be examined. CONCLUSIONS: There are retinal vascular changes due to systemic alpha-interferon for hepatitis C. There are no studies in our country describing ocular changes in patients with hepatitis C on therapy with alpha-interferon. General physicians and specially gastroenterologists should pay special attention to this problem, and refer these patients to the ophthalmologist in order to determine and follow any lesion that may be related to the use of this drug.

Retinopathy in Monkeys with Spontaneous Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes occurs spontaneously in rhesus monkeys and shows an extraordinary similarity to human diabetes in clinical features and relative time course. The purpose of this study was to investigate clinically and histopathologically the ocular changes in these monkeys. Ophthalmoscopic examinations were performed on aged normal and diabetic monkeys. Retinas from 16 diabetic monkeys and 6 nondiabetic monkeys were incubated postmortem for adenosine diphosphatase (ADPase) activity (labels viable retinal blood vessels) and flat-embedded in JB-4. Tissue sections were cut through areas of interest. Cotton-wool spots, intraretinal hemorrhages, and hard exudates in the macula were observed by ophthalmoscopy in some diabetic monkeys. Dot/blot hemorrhages, cotton-wool spots, and small nonperfused areas were the earliest histologically documented changes in the retinas. Large nonperfused areas extending from optic disc to midfovea were observed in four diabetic monkeys. Formation of small intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMAs) and microaneurysms were associated with the areas of nonperfusion. There were apparent fluid-filled spaces in the outer plexiform layer in three of these maculas, suggesting macular edema. There was a significant correlation between the occurrence of retinopathy and hypertension (P = 0.037 for systolic pressure; P = 0.019 for diastolic pressure). In elastase-digested retinas, the ratio of pericytes to endothelial cells was 0.66:1 in diabetic and 0.64:1 in nondiabetic (P = 0.75) retinas. This is the first detailed analysis of retinopathy in a colony of spontaneous type 2 diabetic monkeys. Monkeys with type 2 diabetes have many of the angiopathic changes associated with human diabetic retinopathy. Hypertension correlates with the severity of the diabetic retinopathy.

Ocular manifestations of West Nile Virus

To review the ocular findings of patients with West Nile Virus. Ocular findings have included multifocal choroiditis, vitritis, intraretinal hemorrhages, iritis, keratic precipitates, optic neuritis, branch retinal artery occlusions, and chorioretinal scarring in a case of intrauterine transmission. The ocular findings associated with WNV appear to be self-limited. All the adults reported had improved vision and most had resolution of inflammation, with or without topical steroids, over the course of a few months. It may be reasonable to obtain West Nile Virus titers in any patient presenting with the above findings and systemic illness, especially from an endemic area.

Ocular structure and function in an aged monkey with spontaneous diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus develops spontaneously in middle-aged, obese rhesus monkeys, thus making them a good model for examining the effects of co-morbid factors on the development of end-organ damage. Changes in structure and function in the eyes of one monkey who spontaneously developed type 2 diabetes are reported here. This animal had concomitant hypertension, high levels of triglycerides and serum cholesterol, and a low fraction of high-density lipoprotein. The eyes showed intraretinal hemorrhages and large areas of retinal capillary nonperfusion. Indo-cyanin green (ICG) angiography revealed a large area of non- or poorly perfused choriocapillaris in one eye, and immunohistochemistry showed loss of viable choriocapillaries in this region. Both basal laminar deposits and hard drusen were present on areas of Bruch's membrane adjacent to nonviable choriocapillaris. Blood flow via the nasal posterior ciliary arteries to this section of choroid was not detectable by color duplex Doppler ultrasound, indicating contribution of extraocular vascular disease to ischemia in this eye. There was a severe decline in number of photoreceptor inner and outer segments, and corresponding reductions in the multifocal electroretinogram (ERG), in the areas of choriocapillaris loss.The ganzfeld ERG indicated loss in both inner and outer retinal function. Much of the ganglion cell layer was absent throughout the retina, possibly reflecting the effect of diabetes as well as chronic open angle glaucoma; the latter diagnosis supported by elevated intraocular pressures and excavated optic disks. In summary, high resolution, enzyme histochemical and histopathological analyses of a diabetic hypertensive monkey retina and choroid after serial functional in vivo analyses have demonstrated the relationship between vascular dysfunction and visual function loss. Choroidal vascular dysfunction in both large and small vessels was associated with age-related macular degeneration-like changes in Bruch's membrane and photoreceptor degeneration.

Chorioretinal involvement in patients with West Nile virus infection

Purpose To characterize and analyze the chorioretinal manifestations of West Nile virus (WNV) infection. Design Prospective, noncomparative case series. Participants Twenty-nine consecutive patients with serologically confirmed WNV infection in the setting of an outbreak of the disease. Methods The average duration of systemic symptoms before ophthalmic examination was 10 days (range, 2–30 days). All participants underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination at presentation and regularly throughout follow-up, including dilated biomicroscopic fundus examination, fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography. Results A typical multifocal chorioretinitis was observed in 20 of 29 patients (69%) bilaterally at presentation and developed later during follow-up in 3 patients (10.3%), bilaterally (n = 1) or unilaterally (n = 2). Multifocal chorioretinitis was associated with mild vitreous inflammatory reaction in all cases. Other findings included intraretinal hemorrhages (21 patients [72.4%]), white-centered retinal hemorrhages (7 patients [24.1%]), focal retinal vascular sheathing (3 patients [10.4%]), marked diffuse retinal arterial sheathing (1 patient [3.4%]), retinal vascular leakage (5 patients [17.2%]), optic disc swelling (2 patients [6.9%]), optic disc staining (6 patients [20.7%]), segmental zones of retinal pigment epithelium changes (1 patient [3.4%]), and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (7 patients [24.1%]). The posterior segment findings related to WNV disease had a self-limited course in all patients. Conclusions Chorioretinal involvement, frequently asymptomatic and self-limited, is common in patients with acute WNV infection. The unique pattern of multifocal chorioretinitis in patients with systemic symptoms suggestive of WNV can help to establish the diagnosis while serologic testing is pending. Therefore, a systematic ocular evaluation, including dilated fundus examination and fluorescein angiography in selected cases, is recommended in patients with clinically suspected WNV infection.

Retinal angiomatous proliferation: clinical characteristics and treatment options

A new form of exudative age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP), has been described in which neovascularization begins in the deep retina, extends through the subretinal space, and eventually communicates with choroidal neovascularization. Case series. Common clinical features of RAP include small multiple intra-retinal hemorrhages, intra-retinal edema, vascularized pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs), and retinal choroidal anastomosis (RCA). Fluorescein angiography (FA) reveals ill-defined, occult choroidal neovascularization. Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography is useful in early stages because 'hot spots' can be detected before clinical or FA characteristics are present. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is useful in illustrating some of the clinical and FA characteristics. The use of photodynamic therapy (POT), combined with intravitreal triamcinolone injection, was successful in stabilizing the RAP lesion in one case discussed in this report. Retinal angiomatous proliferation is a newly recognized entity of exudative age-related macular degeneration with its own set of clinical, FA, ICG angiography, and OCT features. Experimental treatments such as the use of PDT combined with intravitreal triamcinolone injection demonstrate potential success with this entity. The biggest hope appears to be anti-angiogenic factors currently in clinical trials for the treatment of exudative ARMD.

Retinal hemorrhages in type I osteogenesis imperfecta after minor trauma

Objective To report 3 patients with type I osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) who developed retinal hemorrhages and subdural hematomas after minor trauma. Design Observational case series. Method Children with OI who developed retinal hemorrhages after minor trauma were identified through an international e-mail–based mailing list for professionals with an interest in child abuse. Results Three patients with type I OI who presented to the emergency department after a short fall were identified. Clinical evaluation included pediatric and ophthalmic examination. Investigations included complete blood count, coagulation profile, computed tomography of the brain, and a skeletal survey. Ophthalmologic examination revealed retinal hemorrhages in all the children. In the first patient, these were flame shaped and located in the posterior pole of the left eye. The second patient had vitreous and retinal hemorrhages in both eyes. The third patient had scattered intraretinal hemorrhages in both eyes. Computed tomography demonstrated a subdural hematoma in all of the patients and, in patient 2, a simple parietal skull fracture. The child protection teams that investigated the cases believed the explanations offered for the injuries to be plausible, and a diagnosis of accidental injury was made in all 3 patients. Conclusion This is the first report of retinal hemorrhages and subdural hematoma after trivial trauma in patients with type I OI. The collagen defects underlying this disorder of bone and connective tissue may predispose patients with type I OI to retinal hemorrhages and subdural hematomas after minor trauma.

A case of bilateral retinal vein occlusion

Practical Diabetes International invites you to submit your favourite slide with clinical details for possible publication in this series. Case report Mr L, a known diabetic, developed bilateral hemi-retinal vein occlusions involving the superior retinal half in the right eye and inferior retinal half in the left. The visual acuity was well preserved in the right eye at 6/9 but poor in the left eye at counting fingers. The venous calibre of the superior vein, in the right eye, shows dilatation of the distal segment along with intraretinal hemorrhages throughout the superior hemi-retina (Figure 1). This is consistent with an occlusion of the superior papillary vein.1 The left eye shows ghosting of inferior veins (commonly seen with chronic vein occlusions). As the inferior papillary vein divides into the inferonasal and inferotemporal branches, this picture reflects an inferior papillary vein occlusion.2 (Figure 2.)

Retinal response of Macaca mulatta to picosecond laser pulses of varying energy and spot size

We investigate the relationship between the laser beam at the retina (spot size) and the extent of retinal injury from single ultrashort laser pulses. From previous studies it is believed that the retinal effect of single 3-ps laser pulses should vary in extent and location, depending on the occurrence of laser-induced breakdown (LIB) at the site of laser delivery. Single 3-ps pulses of 580-nm laser energy are delivered over a range of spot sizes to the retina of Macaca mulatta. The retinal response is captured sequentially with optical coherence tomography (OCT). The in vivo OCT images and the extent of pathology on final microscopic sections of the laser site are compared. With delivery of a laser pulse with peak irradiance greater than that required for LIB, OCT and light micrographs demonstrate inner retinal injury with many intraretinal and/or vitreous hemorrhages. In contrast, broad outer retinal injury with minimal to no choriocapillaris effect is seen after delivery of laser pulses to a larger retinal area (60 to 300 microm diam) when peak irradiance is less than that required for LIB. The broader lesions extend into the inner retina when higher energy delivery produces intraretinal injury. Microscopic examination of stained fixed tissues provide better resolution of retinal morphology than OCT. OCT provides less resolution but could be guided over an in vivo, visible retinal lesion for repeated sampling over time during the evolution of the lesion formation. For 3-ps visible wavelength laser pulses, varying the spot size and laser energy directly affects the extent of retinal injury. This again is believed to be partly due to the onset of LIB, as seen in previous studies. Spot-size dependence should be considered when comparing studies of retinal effects or when pursuing a specific retinal effect from ultrashort laser pulses.

Retinopathy in acute leukaemia at initial diagnosis: correlation of fundus lesions and haematological parameters.

To determine the prevalence of retinal changes in newly diagnosed acute leukaemia patients, and to establish the relationship between retinal lesions and haematological parameters in these patients. A total of 127 patients with acute leukaemia (myeloid and lymphoid), of both genders, aged between 13 and 77 years, were examined by an ophthalmologist for retinal changes using direct/indirect ophthalmoscopy within 2 days of diagnosis before starting chemotherapy. Retinal lesions were seen in 62 cases (49%), with intraretinal haemorrhages being the most common lesion (42%). A high white blood cell count was significantly associated with intraretinal haemorrhages (p = 0.04) and white-centred haemorrhages (p = 0.001), while a low platelet count was significantly associated with intraretinal haemorrhages (p = 0.03) in acute myeloid leukaemia patients. A high white blood cell count may be considered as important as a low platelet count in the pathogenesis of leukaemic retinopathy.

Radial optic neurotomy as treatment for central retinal vein occlusion

Purpose To review our initial experience with radial optic neurotomy as treatment for retinal vein occlusion. Design Interventional case series. Methods Patient population: five patients (four with central retinal vein occlusion and one with hemiretinal vein occlusion). Intervention Pars plana vitrectomy with radial optic neurotomy was performed in each case. Main outcome measures Best-corrected visual acuity, presence of macular edema, perfusion status, and time to venous phase of the angiogram were reviewed retrospectively. Results Mean preoperative visual acuity was 4/200. Preoperatively, the vein occlusion was perfused in one (20%), nonperfused in one (20%), and indeterminate in three (60%). Mean follow-up time was 4.5 months. Mean postoperative visual acuity was 20/400 at last follow-up. Four patients (80%) had improvement in visual acuity and one (20%) worsened. Two patients (40%) improved to 20/80 postoperatively. In four cases (80%), disk congestion improved and intraretinal hemorrhage reabsorbed more quickly than would be expected without treatment. Time to the venous phase of fluorescein angiography improved slightly in three cases (60%) postoperatively. Perfusion status as determined by fluorescein angiography was not significantly altered postoperatively. One patient (20%) had resolution of macular edema postoperatively as shown by volumetric optical coherence tomography. One patient developed choroidovitreal neovascularization and one developed iris neovascularization postoperatively, both of which responded to panretinal photocoagulation. Conclusion Radial optic neurotomy may improve visual acuity in eyes with central retinal vein occlusion, although choroidovitreal neovascularization from the neurotomy site can occur. Further study is needed to determine its role in the management of central vein occlusion.

Hemorragia subaracnóidea e síndrome de Terson: estudo prospectivo

PURPOSE: To analyze the incidence, clinical course, ophthalmic findings, and prognosis of the patients with intracranial bleeding and Terson's syndrome. METHODS: A prospective consecutive study of patients admitted to the emergency room with the diagnosis of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. Neurological and funduscopic examinations were performed upon admission and at days 3, 7, 30 and 60 after the diagnosis. In all cases the clinical condition was graded according to the Hunt and Hess classification. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were enrolled in this study from July to October, 2000. Terson's syndrome was diagnosed in 5 of the patients (29.4%). Fifteen cases were associated with ruptured cerebral aneurysms, and the remaining two were caused by head trauma. There was no gender preponderance (9F:8M) and the median age was 48 years (range 22-80 years). Four of the five patients (80%) with Terson's syndrome died from intracranial complications, whereas 11 patients with intracranial bleeding and no ocular involvement survived. The leading cause of mortality was rebleeding. The ophthalmoscopic findings included intraretinal bleeding (3 cases), intraretinal and with subhyaloid hemorrhage (1 case) and intraretinal hemorrhage with cotton wool spots (1 case). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the incidence of Terson's syndrome was 29.4% and it was associated with a high mortality rate (80%).

Argon Laser Photocoagulation for the Treatment of Idiopathic, Bilateral, Recurrent, Diffuse Retinal Arterial Aneurysms

Spontaneous resolution of retinal arterial aneurysms may occur, but recurrences are uncommon. A case of idiopathic, bilateral, recurrent, diffuse retinal arterial aneurysms treated with direct laser photocoagulation is described. A 30-year-old woman with a history of physiologic menopause was found to have bilateral, diffuse, multiple retinal arterial aneurysms with massive subretinal exudates and intraretinal hemorrhages. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated multiple retinal arterial aneurysms with leakage. Direct argon laser photocoagulation successfully closed the aneurysms. During 6 years of follow-up, the aneurysms reoccurred twice, coinciding with a postpartum period. Recurrences were successfully treated with repeated laser photocoagulation with the aneurysms closed off. Hormonal imbalance may play a role in this condition. Recurrent retinal arterial aneurysms can be managed by direct laser photocoagulation.

Treatment of Central Retinal Vein Occlusion by Vitrectomy with Lysis of Vitreopapillary and Epipapillary Adhesions, Subretinal Peripapillary Tissue Plasminogen Activator Injection, and Photocoagulation.

Abstract PURPOSE: To report a case of subretinal peripapillary tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) injection with vitreopapillary and epipapillary membrane dissection and peripheral photocoagulation in the treatment of central retinal vein occlusion. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 79-year-old woman with a history of branch vein occlusion in the left eye presented with visual loss in the right eye for 4 months secondary to unresolved central retinal vein occlusion. She underwent vitrectomy, right eye, with lysis of vitreopapillary and epipapillary adhesions and hyaloid separation, subretinal peripapillary tissue tPA injection, peripheral photocoagulation, and air-fluid exchange. RESULTS: Postoperatively, funduscopic and fluorescein angiographic features of venous obstruction improved rapidly, with prompt reduction in intraretinal hemorrhages and disk and macular edema. The patient reported subjective improvement of vision in her right eye, although measured improvement was modest, from finger counting to 20/400. CONCLUSION: Subretinal administration of tPA, lysis of adhesions, and endophotocoagulation may be of value in resolving the obstructive component of selected cases of chronic central retinal vein occlusion associated with vitreopapillary and epipapillary traction.