Microsurgical revascularization of the ophthalmic artery.

We have developed and performed a microsurgical arterial anastomosis to revascularize the ophthalmic artery in patients with ischemic visual loss, resulting in improvement in visual function. A detailed description of the surgical procedure is discussed as well as the indications for surgery in these cases. An ischemic etiology of visual impairment was predicted by binocular fundus reflectometry, a noninvasive technique to indicate ocular perfusion abnormalities. Encouraging early results suggest that such a revascularization procedure may provide a therapeutic option for a particular group of patients with progressive ischemic visual loss.