Phase 1 Trial of Intra-Ophthalmic Artery Thrombolysis for Treating Recent Severe Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is a common cause of vision loss, typically affecting individuals during the fifth through seventh decade of life. Eyes with severe CRVO have a poor visual prognosis because current treatments address only secondary complications of CRVO without treating its cause. Intra-ophthalmic artery injection of a small dose of t-PA (clot busting medicine), also called intra-ophthalmic artery thrombolysis, may reopen the central retinal vein-and address the cause of the disease- without exposing the subject to the risks of systemic thrombolysis. Our project aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intra-ophthalmic artery thrombolysis in subjects with CRVO.
• Severe CRVO diagnosed on
‣ presence of relative afferent papillary defect (RAPD)
⁃ or visual acuity of 20/200 or worse
• Symptom onset within 2 weeks
• Age \> 18 years old
• Patient is able and willing to give informed consent