[Visual prognosis of branch retinal vein occlusion with macular edema]

To evaluate visual outcome and prognostic factors of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) combined with macular edema, when no aggressive treatment is performed.

We retrospectively analyzed 80 eyes of 80 patients of BRVO associated with macular edema. The average age was 65.7 years and the average follow-up period was 32.1 months. Oral or instillation drug therapy was conducted in 42 eyes and peripheral scatter argon laser photocoagulation for the capillary non-perfusion area was carried out in 61 eyes (photocoagulation for macula was excluded).

Baseline visual acuity(BVA) and final visual acuity(FVA) had a positive correlation (r= 0.60, p< 0.001). 69% of eyes with BVA of 0.1 or less remained at FVA 0.1 or worse, while 78% of eyes with BVA of 0.8 or better maintained FVA of 0.8 or better. Visual acuity improved in 26%, remained unchanged in 54%, and deteriorated in 20% during follow-up periods. In the eyes with visual loss the deterioration occurred in the early periode from onset, but in the eyes with visual improvement the visual acuity tended to improve steadily.

Even if macular edema occurs, some of the BRVO eyes can attain good visual acuity. However, we recommend aggressive treatment when the best-corrected acuity is poor or when the visual acuity worsens gradually, because there is a strong possibility that the visual prognosis will be poor.