Macular thickness measurements in central retinal artery occlusion by optical coherence tomography

To evaluate the structural features of central retinal artery occlusion by means of optical coherence tomography.

Eleven consecutive patients with acute central retinal artery occlusion and at least 3-month follow-up were enrolled prospectively in this study. The main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity, foveal thickness (FT), and total macular volume by optical coherence tomography.

Five male and six female patients with central retinal artery occlusion were examined. The mean age was 71.2 ± 8.7 years (range, 59-83 years). Mean FT and total macular volume were 195 ± 26 μm and 6.41 ± 0.33 mm, respectively, in normal fellow eyes, increased to 299 ± 76 μm and 7.90 ± 0.93 mm, respectively, at initial examination and declined to 167 ± 30 μm and 4.85 ± 0.68 mm, respectively, at 3-month follow-up. Mean reduction in FT was 181 ± 61 μm (range, 120-270 μm) in eyes with poor visual outcome and 43 ± 25 μm (range, 15-74 μm) in eyes with fair visual outcome. Statistical analysis revealed that the relationships among visual prognosis and initial FT and initial total macular volume were not significant.

Optical coherence tomography provides special information about central retinal artery occlusion. There were marked and variable changes in FT and total macular volume. Limited reduction in macular thickness might indicate a fair visual outcome.