Visual Prognosis of Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the reports of patients with retinal vein occlusion patients diagnosed and followed in our clinic retrospectively, and to evaluate the visual prognosis of these patients. Thirty-four eyes of 32 patients followed with the diagnosis of retinal branch vein occlusion in our clinic during the period 1994-2002 were included in the study. Patients records, visual acuity during the first and last controls, fundus findings, FFA findings, complications occurred during the follow-up period and the treatment methods applied were evaluated. Follow up period differs between 6 months and 8 years with an average period of 29.1±4.3 months. Ages ranged between 34-76 years with an average of 57.3±2.1 years. In 24 patients (75%) hypertension and in 5 patients (15.6%) diabetes mellitus was diagnosed. Superior temporal vein occlusion was detected in 23 eyes (67.6%), whereas inferior temporal vein occlusion was detected in the remaining 11 eyes (32.4%). The visual evaluation during the first examination was done by using the Snellen-chart; visual acuity was less than 0.1 in 12 eyes (35.3%), between 0.1 ñ0.5 in 14 eyes (41.2%) and more than 0.5 in 8 eyes (23.5%). Visual acuity on the last examination; showed that it was less than 0.1 in 8 eyes (23.5%), between 0.1 ñ0.5 in 15 eyes (44.1%) and more than 0.5 in 11 eyes (32.3%). Vitrectomy was performed in 6 eyes (17.6%) because of vitreous haemorrhage. Apart from the eyes with vitreous haemorrhage, retinal neovascularisation was found in 4 eyes during the following period. Argon laser photocoagulation was performed in 20 eyes (58.8%), there was macular involvement in 22 eyes (64.7%). Retinal vein occlusion and is a retinal vascular disease seen frequently after the age of 50 years and is highly associated with hypertension. Visual prognosis depends on the initial visual acuity and macular involvement.