[Update on intravenous lysis treatment : The REVISION trial].

BACKGROUND: To date, no evidence-based treatment for acute non-arteritic central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) exists. Considering the limited ischemia tolerance of the retina and the results of multiple case series, increasing expectations are directed towards an early intravenous thrombolysis within 4.5 h after CRAO onset. OBJECTIVE: The current literature regards timely retinal reperfusion as the only potentially beneficial therapeutic option to treat non-arteritic CRAO. Available data on the efficacy and safety of thrombolysis in CRAO are presented and discussed. On the basis of these data, the prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled REVISION trial (early REperfusion therapy with intravenous alteplase for recovery of VISION in acute central retinal artery occlusion) will shortly be initiated in 25 centers across Germany in order to investigate early intravenous thrombolysis in acute CRAO. The main inclusion criteria of the REVISION trial are outlined, which may help ophthalmologists to identify study candidates and facilitate rapid referral to a study center. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke is critically time dependent. This may also be assumed in acute CRAO; however, definite evidence still needs to be provided. Until then, the motto "time is retina" should be applied and intravenous thrombolysis should be offered to CRAO patients as part of randomized trials (such as REVISION). According to the current literature, other acute treatment approaches (such as paracentesis) are not indicated.