Visual Prognosis of Macular Edema Associated with Macular Ischemia in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We compared the perifoveal capillary ring state and the size of the macular ischemic area in patients with the macular edema, then analyzed the effect of grid photocoagulation on macular edema. The aim of the present study was to evaluate visual prognosis and to determine treatment modality of macular edema with macular ischemia in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: We did retrospective clinical analysis on the macular edema and macular circulatory state using clinical records, and performed fluorescein angiography in 89 patients (92 eyes) who were diagnosed with BRVO at Inha University Hospital from June 1996 through October 2000 and were followed for over 6 months. RESULTS: The incidence of macular edema was not statistically correlated with occlusion site of retinal vein, size of macular ischemic area and perifoveal capillary ring state. The initial visual acuity was a statistically significant factor in the prognosis of final visual acuity. The macular ischemic area was statistically correlated with initial visual acuity, and the perifoveal capillary ring state was not correlated with initial and final visual acuities. The improvement of visual acuity after grid photocoagulation for macular edema was noted in patients with intact perifoveal capillary ring state and small macular ischemic area. CONCLUSIONS: The only facator to final visual acuity is initial visual acuity. Prospective study is needed to evaluate effect of early treatment of macular edema with grid photocoagulation at an early stage of BRVO in patients with intact perifoveal capillary ring state and small macular ischemic area.