[Argon-green laser photocoagulation in the treatment of cystoid macular edema secondary to branch vein occlusion]. / Traitement de l'oedème maculaire cystoïde secondaire à une occlusion de branche veineuse par photocoagulation au laser monochromatique vert.

The present study evaluates the use of argon-green photocoagulation in the absorption rate of macular oedema and the visual recovery of patients suffering of branch venous occlusion of non-diabetic aetiology. Twenty patients suffering from branch venous occlusion and angiographically proven cystoid macular oedema were entered in this prospective study; they were randomly divided in two equal groups and were treated with photocoagulation 1-4 months after the onset of the disease. Patients in the first group were treated according to the clinical regime with focal and scattered photocoagulation which was applied over the affected area. Patients in the second group were photocoagulated so as to reduce the blood flow of the afferent arteriole to a volume that can be drained away by the diseased efferent venule. All patients were carefully followed-up for 6-24 months, particularly for the degree of macular oedema and their visual status. We discuss the clinical observations and present our results.