The Effect of Posterior Vitreous Detachment on Macular Edema in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To quantitatively compare the role of posterior vitreous detachment in macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) using OCT. METHODS: A retrospective study of 36 eyes with BRVO-associated macular edema was carried out from November 2003 to February 2005. There was posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) in 23 eyes [PVD (+) group], and vitreoretinal attachment on the fovea in 31 eyes [PVD (-) group]. PVD was detected with an indirect ophthalmoscope or 90D lens. The foveal thicknesses of the two groups were measured and compared. RESULTS: The mean foveal thicknesses of the PVD (-) and PVD (+) groups were 398.0+/-217.2 micrometer and 233.6+/-80.6 micrometer, respectively (p=0.000, Mann-Whitney test). The mean BCVA (log MAR) was 0.77+/-0.52 in the PVD (-) group and 0.40+/-0.37 in the PVD (+) group (p=0.002, Mann-Whitney test). CONCLUSIONS: The extent of macular edema associated with BRVO was significantly less in the PVD(+) group and BCVA was significantly better in the PVD (+) group as well.