ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of the ophthalmic artery branch retrograde interventional therapy for central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). MethodsFourteen CRAO patients (14 eyes) were enrolled in this study, including 8 males and 6 females. The age was ranged from 35 to 80 years old,with an average of (56.7±20.3) years. The duration of occurrence after the onset was 9 to 72 hours, with a mean of 22 hours. There were 4 eyes with vision of no light perception, 5 eyes with light perception and 5 eyes with hand movement. The intraocular pressure was ranged from 14-20 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), with an average of 19 mmHg. All the patients received the treatment of ophthalmic artery branch retrograde interventional therapy according to the indications and contraindications of thrombolytic therapy in acute cerebral infraction patients. Micro catheters was inserted into the exposed arteries from a skin incision below the eyebrow under guidance of digital subtraction angiography (DSA), urokinase (total 0.4 million U) and papaverine 30 mg were injected into the arteries. After artery thrombolysis, the changes of DSA, filling time of retinal artery and its branches on fluorescence fundus angiography (FFA) within 48 hours and the visual acuity were observed. According to the visual acuity of post-treatment and pre-treatment, the therapeutic effects on vision were defined as effective markedly (improving 3 lines or more), effective (improving 2 lines) and no effect (change within 1 line or a decline). According to the arm-retinal circulation time (A-Rct) and filling time of retinal artery and its branches (FT) on fluorescence fundus angiography (FFA), the therapeutic effects on retinal circulation were defined as effective markedly (A-Rct 15 s, FT 2 s), effective (A-Rct was improved but in the range of 16-20 s, FT was in 3-8 s) and no effect (A-Rct was improved but 21 s, FT 9 s). The follow up ranged from 5 to 21days, with a mean of 6 days. The related local or systemic complications were recorded. ResultsOphthalmic arterial catheterization under DSA was successful in all 14 eyes. After intermittent injection of drugs, ophthalmic artery and internal carotid artery displayed good images in DSA. The results showed enlargement of ophthalmic artery and its branches after injection of thrombolytic drugs by micro catheters. The circulation time in ophthalmic artery is speed up for 2 s before thrombolysis in 5 eyes, 3 s in 6 eyes, and 4 s in 3 eyes. Within 48 hours after thrombolysis treatment, the filling time of retinal artery and its branches on FFA was significantly increased than that of before interventional therapy. The retinal circulation was effective markedly in 8 eyes (57.1%), effective in 4 eyes (28.6%) and no effect in 2 eyes (14.3%). The vision changes showed effective markedly in 6 eyes (42.9%), effective in 6 eyes (42.9%), no effect in 2 eyes (14.2%). There was no abnormal eye movements, vitreous hemorrhage and incision hematoma, intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral embolism, and other local and systemic adverse effectives during the follow-up. ConclusionsThe ophthalmic artery branch retrograde interventional therapy in the treatment for CRAO can improve retinal circulation and vision. And there is no related local or systemic complications.