Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) Differential Diagnoses

1. Central Vein Occlusion Study Group. Natural history and clinical management of central retinal vein occlusion. [published erratum appears in Arch Ophthalmol 1997 Oct;115(10):1275]. Arch Ophthalmol. 1997 Apr. 115(4):486-91. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

2. Hayreh SS. Classification of central retinal vein occlusion. Ophthalmology. 1983 May. 90(5):458-74. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

3. Hayreh SS. Retinal vein occlusion. Indian J Ophthalmol. 1994 Sep. 42(3):109-32. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

4. Hayreh SS, Zimmerman MB, Podhajsky P. Incidence of various types of retinal vein occlusion and their recurrence and demographic characteristics. Am J Ophthalmol. 1994 Apr 15. 117(4):429-41. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

5. Williamson TH. Central retinal vein occlusion: what's the story?. Br J Ophthalmol. 1997 Aug. 81(8):698-704. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

6. David R, Zangwill L, Badarna M, et al. Epidemiology of retinal vein occlusion and its association with glaucoma and increased intraocular pressure. Ophthalmologica. 1988. 197(2):69-74. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

7. Ota M, Tsujikawa A, Kita M, et al. Integrity of foveal photoreceptor layer in central retinal vein occlusion. Retina. 2008 Nov-Dec. 28(10):1502-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

8. Klein R, Moss SE, Meuer SM, et al. The 15-year cumulative incidence of retinal vein occlusion: the Beaver Dam Eye Study. Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Apr. 126(4):513-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

9. Mitchell P, Smith W, Chang A. Prevalence and associations of retinal vein occlusion in Australia. The Blue Mountains Eye Study. Arch Ophthalmol. 1996 Oct. 114(10):1243-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

10. Rogers S, McIntosh RL, Cheung N, Lim L, Wang JJ, Mitchell P, et al. The prevalence of retinal vein occlusion: pooled data from population studies from the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Ophthalmology. 2010 Feb. 117 (2):313-9.e1. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

11. Arepalli S, Wykoff CC, Abraham JR, Lunasco L, Yu H, Hu M, et al. Longitudinal analysis of aqueous humour cytokine expression and OCT-based imaging biomarkers in retinal vein occlusions treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in the IMAGINE study. Eye (Lond). 2022 Oct 11. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

12. Ullah I, Sohail A, Shah MUFA, Khurshid M, Diwan MN, Qadir A, et al. Central Retinal Vein Occlusion in patients with COVID-19 infection: A systematic review. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2021 Nov. 71:102898. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

13. Central Vein Occlusion Study Group. Baseline and early natural history report. Arch Ophthalmol. 1993 Aug. 111(8):1087-95. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

14. Glacet-Bernard A, les Jardins GL, Lasry S, Coscas G, Soubrane G, Souied E, et al. Obstructive sleep apnea among patients with retinal vein occlusion. Arch Ophthalmol. 2010 Dec. 128(12):1533-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

15. Batioglu F, Astam N, Ozmert E. Rapid improvement of retinal and iris neovascularization after a single intravitreal bevacizumab injection in a patient with central retinal vein occlusion and neovascular glaucoma. Int Ophthalmol. 2008 Feb. 28(1):59-61. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

16. Cekic O, Chang S, Tseng JJ, et al. Intravitreal triamcinolone treatment for macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion and hemiretinal vein occlusion. Retina. 2005 Oct-Nov. 25(7):846-50. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

17. Central Vein Occlusion Study Group. Evaluation of grid pattern photocoagulation for macular edema in central vein occlusion. The Central Vein Occlusion Study Group M report. Ophthalmology. 1995 Oct. 102(10):1425-33. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

18. Catier A, Tadayoni R, Paques M, et al. Characterization of macular edema from various etiologies by optical coherence tomography. Am J Ophthalmol. 2005 Aug. 140(2):200-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

19. Baxter GM, Williamson TH. Color Doppler flow imaging in central retinal vein occlusion: a new diagnostic technique?. Radiology. 1993 Jun. 187(3):847-50. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

20. Moschos MM, Moschos M. Intraocular bevacizumab for macular edema due to CRVO. A multifocal-ERG and OCT study. Doc Ophthalmol. 2008 Mar. 116(2):147-52. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

21. Gupta B, Grewal J, Adewoyin T, et al. Diurnal variation of macular oedema in CRVO: prospective study. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2008 Dec 4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

22. Chan EW, Eldeeb M, Sun V, Thomas D, Omar A, Kapusta MA, et al. Disorganization of Retinal Inner Layers and Ellipsoid Zone Disruption Predict Visual Outcomes in Central Retinal Vein Occlusion. Ophthalmol Retina. 2019 Jan. 3 (1):83-92. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

23. Khayat M, Williams M, Lois N. Ischemic retinal vein occlusion: characterizing the more severe spectrum of retinal vein occlusion. Surv Ophthalmol. 2018 Nov - Dec. 63 (6):816-850. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

24. Kashani AH, Lee SY, Moshfeghi A, Durbin MK, Puliafito CA. OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY OF RETINAL VENOUS OCCLUSION. Retina. 2015 Nov. 35 (11):2323-31. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

25. Khodabandeh A, Shahraki K, Roohipoor R, Riazi-Esfahani H, Yaseri M, Faghihi H, et al. Quantitative measurement of vascular density and flow using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with central retinal vein occlusion: Can OCTA help in distinguishing ischemic from non-ischemic type?. Int J Retina Vitreous. 2018. 4:47. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

26. Coscas F, Glacet-Bernard A, Miere A, Caillaux V, Uzzan J, Lupidi M, et al. Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Retinal Vein Occlusion: Evaluation of Superficial and Deep Capillary Plexa. Am J Ophthalmol. 2016 Jan. 161:160-71.e1-2. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

27. Breton ME, Quinn GE, Keene SS, et al. Electroretinogram parameters at presentation as predictors of rubeosis in central retinal vein occlusion patients. Ophthalmology. 1989 Sep. 96(9):1343-52. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

28. Sato E, Yamamoto S, Ogata K, et al. Changes of electroretinogram without improvement of retinal circulation after radial optic neurotomy for central retinal vein occlusion. ERG changes after RON for CRVO. Doc Ophthalmol. 2008 Mar. 116(2):153-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

29. Green WR, Chan CC, Hutchins GM. Central retinal vein occlusion: a prospective histopathologic study of 29 eyes in 28 cases. Retina. 1981. 1:27-55.

30. Yeh S, Kim SJ, Ho AC, Schoenberger SD, Bakri SJ, Ehlers JP, et al. Therapies for macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion: a report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology. 2015 Apr. 122 (4):769-78. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

31. Ip MS, Scott IU, VanVeldhuisen PC, et al. A randomized trial comparing the efficacy and safety of intravitreal triamcinolone with observation to treat vision loss associated with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion: the Standard Care vs Corticosteroid for Retinal Vein Occlusion (SCORE) study report 5. Arch Ophthalmol. 2009 Sep. 127(9):1101-14. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

32. Aref AA, Scott IU, Oden NL, Ip MS, Blodi BA, VanVeldhuisen PC, et al. Incidence, Risk Factors, and Timing of Elevated Intraocular Pressure After Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection for Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion: SCORE Study Report 15. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2015 Sep. 133 (9):1022-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

33. Haller JA, Bandello F, Belfort R Jr, et al. Randomized, sham-controlled trial of dexamethasone intravitreal implant in patients with macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion. Ophthalmology. 2010 Jun. 117(6):1134-1146.e3. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

34. Brown DM, Campochiaro PA, Singh RP, Li Z, Gray S, Saroj N, et al. Ranibizumab for macular edema following central retinal vein occlusion: six-month primary end point results of a phase III study. Ophthalmology. 2010 Jun. 117(6):1124-1133.e1. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

35. Kinge B, Stordahl PB, Forsaa V, Fossen K, Haugstad M, Helgesen OH, et al. Efficacy of ranibizumab in patients with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion: results from the sham-controlled ROCC study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2010 Sep. 150(3):310-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

36. Varma R, Bressler NM, Suñer I, Lee P, Dolan CM, Ward J, et al. Improved Vision-Related Function after Ranibizumab for Macular Edema after Retinal Vein Occlusion: Results from the BRAVO and CRUISE Trials. Ophthalmology. 2012 Jul 17. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

37. Spaide RF, Chang LK, Klancnik JM, et al. Prospective Study of Intravitreal Ranibizumab as a Treatment for Decreased Visual Acuity Secondary to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion. Am J Ophthalmol. 2008 Oct 17. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

38. Heier JS, Campochiaro PA, Yau L, Li Z, Saroj N, Rubio RG, et al. Ranibizumab for macular edema due to retinal vein occlusions: long-term follow-up in the HORIZON trial. Ophthalmology. 2012 Apr. 119 (4):802-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

39. Larsen M, Waldstein SM, Boscia F, Gerding H, Monés J, Tadayoni R, et al. Individualized Ranibizumab Regimen Driven by Stabilization Criteria for Central Retinal Vein Occlusion: Twelve-Month Results of the CRYSTAL Study. Ophthalmology. 2016 May. 123 (5):1101-11. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

40. Boyer D, Heier J, Brown DM, Clark WL, Vitti R, Berliner AJ, et al. Vascular endothelial growth factor Trap-Eye for macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion: six-month results of the phase 3 COPERNICUS study. Ophthalmology. 2012 May. 119(5):1024-32. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

41. Ogura Y, Roider J, Korobelnik JF, Holz FG, Simader C, Schmidt-Erfurth U, et al. Intravitreal aflibercept for macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion: 18-month results of the phase 3 GALILEO study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2014 Nov. 158 (5):1032-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

42. Korobelnik JF, Holz FG, Roider J, Ogura Y, Simader C, Schmidt-Erfurth U, et al. Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection for Macular Edema Resulting from Central Retinal Vein Occlusion: One-Year Results of the Phase 3 GALILEO Study. Ophthalmology. 2014 Jan. 121 (1):202-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

43. Heier JS, Clark WL, Boyer DS, Brown DM, Vitti R, Berliner AJ, et al. Intravitreal aflibercept injection for macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion: two-year results from the COPERNICUS study. Ophthalmology. 2014 Jul. 121 (7):1414-1420.e1. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

44. Kriechbaum K, Michels S, Prager F, et al. Intravitreal Avastin for macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a prospective study. Br J Ophthalmol. 2008 Apr. 92(4):518-22. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

45. Epstein DL, Algvere PV, von Wendt G, Seregard S, Kvanta A. Benefit from bevacizumab for macular edema in central retinal vein occlusion: twelve-month results of a prospective, randomized study. Ophthalmology. 2012 Dec. 119 (12):2587-91. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

46. Qian T, Zhao M, Wan Y, Li M, Xu X. Comparison of the efficacy and safety of drug therapies for macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion. BMJ Open. 2018 Dec 28. 8 (12):e022700. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

47. Iftikhar M, Mir TA, Hafiz G, Zimmer-Galler I, Scott AW, Solomon SD, et al. Loss of Peak Vision in Retinal Vein Occlusion Patients Treated for Macular Edema. Am J Ophthalmol. 2019 Apr 4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

48. Etheridge T, Blodi B, Oden N, Van Veldhuisen P, Scott IU, Ip MS, et al. Spectral Domain OCT Predictors of Visual Acuity in the Study of COmparative Treatments for REtinal Vein Occlusion 2: SCORE 2 Report 15. Ophthalmol Retina. 2021 Oct. 5 (10):991-998. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

49. Scott IU, VanVeldhuisen PC, Oden NL, Ip MS, Blodi BA, SCORE2 Investigator Group. Month 60 Outcomes After Treatment Initiation With Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy for Macular Edema Due to Central Retinal or Hemiretinal Vein Occlusion. Am J Ophthalmol. 2022 Aug. 240:330-341. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

50. Central Vein Occlusion Study Group. A randomized clinical trial of early panretinal photocoagulation for ischemic central vein occlusion. The Central Vein Occlusion Study Group N report. Ophthalmology. 1995 Oct. 102(10):1434-44. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

51. Central Vein Occlusion Study Group. Central vein occlusion study of photocoagulation therapy. Baseline findings. Online J Curr Clin Trials. 1993 Oct 14. Doc No 95:[QxMD MEDLINE Link].

52. Browning DJ, Rotberg MH. Vitreous Hemorrhage complicating laser-induced chorioretinal anastomosis for central retinal vein occlusion. Am J Ophthalmol. 1996 Oct. 122(4):588-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

53. Eccarius SG, Moran MJ, Slingsby JG. Choroidal neovascular membrane after laser-induced chorioretinal anastomosis. Am J Ophthalmol. 1996 Oct. 122(4):590-1. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

54. Luttrull JK. Epiretinal membrane and traction retinal detachment complicating laser- induced chorioretinal venous anastomosis. Am J Ophthalmol. 1997 May. 123(5):698-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

55. McAllister IL, Constable IJ. Laser-induced chorioretinal venous anastomosis for treatment of nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion. Arch Ophthalmol. 1995 Apr. 113(4):456-62. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

56. Mirshahi A, Roohipoor R, Lashay A, et al. Surgical induction of chorioretinal venous anastomosis in ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion: a non-randomised controlled clinical trial. Br J Ophthalmol. 2005 Jan. 89(1):64-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

57. Beck AP, Ryan EA, Lou PL, et al. Controversies regarding radial optic neurotomy for central retinal vein occlusion. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2005 Fall. 45(4):153-61. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

58. Binder S, Aggermann T, Brunner S. Long-term effects of radial optic neurotomy for central retinal vein occlusion consecutive interventional case series. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2007 Oct. 245(10):1447-52. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

59. Friberg TR, Smolinski P, Hill S, et al. Biomechanical assessment of radial optic neurotomy. Ophthalmology. 2008 Jan. 115(1):174-80. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

60. Opremcak EM, Bruce RA, Lomeo MD, et al. Radial optic neurotomy for central retinal vein occlusion: a retrospective pilot study of 11 consecutive cases. Retina. 2001. 21(5):408-15. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

61. Weizer JS, Stinnett SS, Fekrat S. Radial optic neurotomy as treatment for central retinal vein occlusion. Am J Ophthalmol. 2003 Nov. 136(5):814-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

62. Arevalo JF, Garcia RA, Wu L, et al. Radial optic neurotomy for central retinal vein occlusion: results of the Pan-American Collaborative Retina Study Group (PACORES). Retina. 2008 Oct. 28(8):1044-52. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

63. Leizaola-Fernandez C, Suarez-Tata L, Quiroz-Mercado H, et al. Vitrectomy with complete posterior hyaloid removal for ischemic central retinal vein occlusion: series of cases. BMC Ophthalmol. 2005 May 20. 5:10. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

64. (unpublished) A randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled phase 3 study of the efficacy, safety and tolerability of repeated intravitreal administration of VEGF trap-eye in subjects with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) (GALILEO). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01012973.

65. Bashshur ZF, Ma'luf RN, Allam S, et al. Intravitreal triamcinolone for the management of macular edema due to nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion. Arch Ophthalmol. 2004 Aug. 122(8):1137-40. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

66. Ip MS, Gottlieb JL, Kahana A, et al. Intravitreal triamcinolone for the treatment of macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion. Arch Ophthalmol. 2004 Aug. 122(8):1131-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

67. Patel PJ, Zaheer I, Karia N. Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for macular oedema owing to retinal vein occlusion. Eye. 2008 Jan. 22(1):60-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

68. Ramchandran RS, Fekrat S, Stinnett SS, et al. Fluocinolone acetonide sustained drug delivery device for chronic central retinal vein occlusion: 12-month results. Am J Ophthalmol. 2008 Aug. 146(2):285-291. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

69. Ferrara DC, Koizumi H, Spaide RF. Early bevacizumab treatment of central retinal vein occlusion. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007 Dec. 144(6):864-71. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

70. Epstein DL, Algvere PV, von Wendt G, Seregard S, Kvanta A. Bevacizumab for Macular Edema in Central Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Masked Clinical Study. Ophthalmology. 2012 Mar 16. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

71. Haller JA, et al. Intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO): 24-week, results of the VIBRANT study. Presented at the 38th annual Macula Society meeting. Scottsdale, AZ. February 21, 2014.

72. Yin S, Cui Y, Jiao W, Zhao B. Potential Prognostic Indicators for Patients With Retinal Vein Occlusion. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022. 9:839082. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

73. Sen P, Gurudas S, Ramu J, Patrao N, Chandra S, Rasheed R, et al. Predictors of Visual Acuity Outcomes after Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment for Macular Edema Secondary to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion. Ophthalmol Retina. 2021 Nov. 5 (11):1115-1124. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

74. Gurudas S, Patrao N, Nicholson L, Sen P, Ramu J, Sivaprasad S, et al. Visual Outcomes Associated With Patterns of Macular Edema Resolution in Central Retinal Vein Occlusion Treated With Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy: A Post Hoc Analysis of the Lucentis, Eylea, Avastin in Vein Occlusion (LEAVO) Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2022 Feb 1. 140 (2):143-150. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

75. Terao R, Fujino R, Ahmed T. Risk Factors and Treatment Strategy for Retinal Vascular Occlusive Diseases. J Clin Med. 2022 Oct 27. 11 (21):[QxMD MEDLINE Link].

76. Blair K, Czyz CN. Central Retinal Vein Occlusion. 2022 Jan. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

77. Terao R, Fujino R, Ahmed T. Risk Factors and Treatment Strategy for Retinal Vascular Occlusive Diseases. J Clin Med. 2022 Oct 27. 11 (21):[QxMD MEDLINE Link].

Lakshmana M Kooragayala, MD Vitreo-retinal Surgeon, Marietta Eye Clinic

Lakshmana M Kooragayala, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Steve Charles, MD Founder and CEO of Charles Retina Institute; Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee College of Medicine

Disclosure: Received royalty and consulting fees for: Alcon Laboratories.

Douglas R Lazzaro, MD, FAAO, FACS Chairman, Professor of Ophthalmology, The Richard C Troutman, MD, Distinguished Chair in Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Microsurgery, Department of Ophthalmology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center; Chief of Ophthalmology, Director of Cornea, Director of Surgical Training, Kings County Hospital Center

Douglas R Lazzaro, MD, FAAO, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology, Brooklyn Ophthalmological Society, Cornea Society, New York Society for Clinical Ophthalmology, Ophthalmic Laser Surgical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

V Al Pakalnis, MD, PhD Professor of Ophthalmology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine; Chief of Ophthalmology, Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center

V Al Pakalnis, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, South Carolina Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Ryan I Huffman, MD, with the literature review and referencing for this article.

• Print this section
• Print the entire contents of
• Print the entire contents of article