The impact of posterior vitreous adhesion on ischaemia in eyes with retinal vein occlusion

Purpose To evaluate whether posterior vitreous adhesion ( PVA ) contributes to retinal ischaemia in eyes suffering from central ( CRVO ) or branch retinal vein occlusion ( BRVO ). Methods Retrospective patient chart analysis of eyes with CRVO / BRVO receiving pars‐plana vitrectomy (ppV). Prior to surgery fluorescence angiography was conducted to classify RVO as ischaemic or not. Results Sixty eyes were included, thereof 36 (60%)/24 (40%) with CRVO / BRVO . In the CRVO group, 17 (47%)/19 (53%) eyes were classified as ischaemic/non‐ischaemic. Respective results for BRVO ‐affected eyes were 16 (67%)/8 (33%). PVA /posterior vitreous detachment ( PVD ) was found in 33 (92%)/3 (8%) eyes with CRVO and in 23 (96%)/1 (4%) patients suffering from BRVO . Value differences of PVA / PVD between ischaemic‐ and non‐ischaemic‐typed RVO failed statistical significance for both, CRVO (p = 0.095) and BRVO (p = 1.0). Conclusions Posterior vitreous adhesion had no impact on retinal ischaemia in this investigation. As an attached posterior vitreous cortex acts as a scaffold and thus significantly increases neovascularization ( NV ) development in ischaemic‐typed RVO , a prospective study evaluating the effect of enzymatic vitreolysis is indicated.