Sir,

We thank Dr Jacobs1 for drawing attention to the work showing ‘persistence’ of retinal tissue viability post central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO)2, 3, 4 and to the studies by Kottow and Hendrickson5 and Brown6 demonstrating retinal viability post CRAO as a result of ocular neovascularisation.

The pioneering studies by Hayreh et al7 in monkeys with direct occlusion showed that if the degree of central retinal artery occlusion can be reversed before 97 min, then there is retinal tissue viability, as evidenced by normalisation of the electroretinogram. However, the degree of electroretinogram recovery declines thereafter. The issue of the true retinal tolerance time where there is no viable return of function is still not known. A CRAO resembles an ischaemic cerebral vascular event since ‘time is tissue’. Therefore, we respectfully disagree that there is persistence of retinal tissue viability.

Neovascularisation is a process of unregulated and misguided growth of new vessels in the eye.8 Many variables affect neovascularisation, including the extent of ischaemia. Thus, the time to ocular neovascularisation onset ranges from 2 weeks to 4 months post CRAO.8 Ocular neovascularisation is principally due to chronic retinal ischaemia and multiple mediators. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is highly implicated in its pathogenesis.8

Neovascularisation in the eye is a maladaptive process occurring in ischaemic penumbral retinal tissue from events such as CRAO or ischaemic diabetic retinopathy, when there is insufficient blood supply to the retina. Neovascularisation results in an increased tendency to bleed, resulting in vitreous haemorrhage. If neovascularisation of the iris and angle occurs, this can result in neovascular glaucoma (NVG) with acute rise in intraocular pressure causing congestion and pain.

We showed a clear empirical correlation between thromboembolic CRAO and ocular neovascularisation.8 The overall rate of neovascularisation in our cohort was 18.2%, consistent with most other studies. In the majority of neovascularisation cases there were no clinical features of ocular ischaemia and no association with a haemodynamically significant stenosis of the carotid artery. Given the association between neovascularisation and CRAO, it is prudent to review all patients with acute CRAO at regular intervals as early as 2 weeks and up to 4 months post CRAO.