Laser surgery in the management of patients with retinal vein occlusion

This literature review investigates issues associated with the use of laser surgery for preventing visual impairment in patients with retinal vein occlusion. To this end, we analyze publications on the place of laser surgery in the treatment of patients with occlusion of the central retinal vein or its branches, describing the existing spectrum of laser interventions and indications to their implementation in a particular clinical situation. The mechanism triggering retinal vein occlusion was shown to be most frequently thrombosis at the arteriovenous crossing and in area of the lamina cribrosa. The pathophysiology of retinal vein occlusion might lead to a decreased visual acuity as a result of various syndromes. Due to the diversity of developed techniques, laser treatment is widely used for correcting visual acuity in retinal vein occlusion. An effective approach consists in a combination of laser surgery and intravitreal injection of angiogenesis inhibitors or dexamethasone implants. Management of patients with retinal vein occlusion should also involve examination by general practitioners using laboratory and instrumental methods with the aim of etiological verification and systemic therapy. Such characteristics of laser treatment, as high effectiveness and low costs, as well as the possibility of providing outpatient services, determine the popularity of this technology among ophthalmologists and its future prospects. The latter include the maintenance and improvement of visual functions in patients with retinal vein occlusion.