2M.D. Associate Professor, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Izmir/TURKEY
3M.D. Professor, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Izmir/TURKEY Purpose: To evaluate the visual outcome and secondary complications in the long-run in patients treated with laser photocoagulation for branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).
Materials and Methods: Medical records of the patients who were diagnosed with BRVO prior to optical coherence tomography era between May 1991 and May 2001 were evaluated. 139 eyes of 134 patients who were followed-up for two or more years were included into the study. Demographical and ophthalmological data of the patients were recorded.
Results: The mean follow-up period was 4.4±3.3 (Range: 2-16) years. The mean visual acuity of the affected eyes was 0.69 logMAR at the time of diagnosis and 0.58 logMAR at the last visit (p=0.012). Although retinal and optic disk neovascularization occured in 38 eyes (27%) of all eyes, none of the patients had experienced neovascular glaucoma. Macular edema was present in 69 eyes (49.6%). Visual acuity improved a mean of one line (Snellen chart and logMAR) in 69 of 139 eyes (50%) with BRVO treated with laser photocoagulation at the last follow-up visit. Improvement of two or more lines (Snellen chart) were observed in 49 of 139 (35%) eyes. Improvement of two or more lines were detected in 60 of 139 (43%) eyes by LogMAR chart.
Conclusion: Permenant visual stabilization had been provided by laser photocoagulation in eyes with BRVO before the optical coherence tomography era.
Keywords : Branch retinal vein occlusion, laser photocoagulation, vision, retina, retinopathy