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Review
. 2022 Oct;10(19):1072.
doi: 10.21037/atm-22-2730.

A narrative review on the association of high intraocular pressure and glaucoma in patients with retinal vein occlusion

Sayena Jabbehdari  1 , Ghasem Yazdanpanah  2 , Louis B Cantor  3 , Amir Reza Hajrasouliha  3
Affiliations
Review

A narrative review on the association of high intraocular pressure and glaucoma in patients with retinal vein occlusion

Sayena Jabbehdari et al. Ann Transl Med. 2022 Oct.

Abstract

Background and objective: Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a major cause of vision loss and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), high ocular perfusion pressure, and glaucoma are known ophthalmic risk factors for RVO. The aim of this paper is to provide the update on the association and management of high IOP/glaucoma and RVO.

Methods: A literature review was performed in PubMed and Medline until May 2022 utilizing specific keywords and cross-matched reference lists.

Key content and findings: The association of RVO with high IOP/glaucoma may be attributed to retinal ganglion cell loss due to retinal ischemia in high IOP and glaucoma. As new modalities showed, decreased optic disc perfusion, reduced density of blood vessels in the optic nerve head of glaucoma patients, changes in the peripapillary microvascular parameters, and decreased retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness of the optic nerve head of eyes with RVO suggest a common pathway between RVO and glaucoma. Literature suggests the close follow up for glaucoma development among patients with non-arteriovenous (AV) crossing (optic cup or optic nerve sited) RVO in fellow eye and management of elevated IOP among RVO cases treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibodies/corticosteroids and those with preexisting primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Conclusions: Determining potential patient responses to treatment and considering therapeutic options are challenging among patients with RVO and glaucoma. However, IOP lowering managements in preventing IOP spikes in patients with preexisting glaucoma and early treatment of macular edema in eyes with RVO is recommended.

Keywords: Retinal vein occlusion; glaucoma; high intraocular pressure; neovascular glaucoma.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://atm.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/atm-22-2730/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Fundus photograph of the left eye. Typical “blood and thunder” appearance of extensive intraretinal hemorrhage and optic nerve edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion. (B) Ultra-wide field fluorescein angiogram of an ischemic central retinal vein occlusion in the right eye. Note the extensive nonperfusion, vascular remodeling, aneurysms and diffuse blockage from retinal hemorrhage.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ultra-wide field fluorescein angiogram of an ischemic branch retinal vein occlusion in the left eye. Note superior temporal leakage, vascular remodeling, aneurysms and compensatory collateral formation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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