Purpose: To report in four patients with retinal vein occlusion the presence of biomicroscopically visible circulation in the minor arterial circle of the iris, preceding rubeosis iridis in two cases.
Design: Retrospective observational case series.
Methods: Four patients with ischemic type of central or hemi-central retinal vein occlusion seen at a single center.
Results: Dilation of the minor arterial circle remnants with biomicroscopically visible circulation was observed in four eyes of four adult patients with severe retinal ischemia secondary to retinal vein occlusion and preceded the occurrence of anterior segment neovascularization in two cases.
Conclusion: In patients with ischemic retinal vein occlusion, the clinical finding of a dilation of the minor arterial circle may indicate the necessity of a closer follow-up to make a timely decision on panretinal photocoagulation.