Published in:
01-07-2016 | Retinal Disorders
Recurrence of macular edema in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion changes the diameter of unaffected retinal vessels
Authors:
Jong Chan Im, Jae Pil Shin, In Taek Kim, Dong Ho Park
Published in:
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
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Issue 7/2016
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Abstract
Purpose
To measure unaffected retinal vessel diameter in eyes with macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) after intravitreal injection with bevacizumab (IVB).
Methods
Patients with BRVO-induced ME who responded to IVB were assessed at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months. In both eyes, the diameters of the largest arteriole and venule in all quadrants (except occlusion quadrant) were measured by using a computer-assisted method. The same vessels chosen at baseline were measured at each follow-up examination.
Results
Forty-two eyes were participated. At baseline, venular diameters of unaffected quadrants in eyes with BRVO were larger than the venules in the corresponding quadrant of the fellow eyes (p < 0.05, respectively). The venular diameters in all quadrants of the affected eyes decreased significantly relative to baseline after IVB (p < 0.05 respectively). Twenty-two eyes (52.4 %) developed recurrent ME. On recurrence at 3 (n = 15, 35.7 %) or 6 months (n = 7, 16.7 %), the unaffected venular diameters increased significantly (p < 0.05 respectively). These diameters again decreased significantly after a second IVB (p < 0.05 respectively).
Conclusion
Unaffected retinal venular diameters associate with the course of BRVO with ME. This may help elucidate the pathological mechanism underlying BRVO.