FUNDUS CHANGES IN BRANCH RETINAL ARTERIOLAR OCCLUSION.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Vascular Medicine
• Retinal Diseases

Background:

• Branch retinal arteriolar occlusion (BRAO) is a significant cause of vision impairment.
• Understanding the natural history and fundus changes associated with BRAO is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically investigate the diverse fundus changes in branch retinal arteriolar occlusion (BRAO).
• To document the natural history and evolution of these fundus changes over time.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 123 patients (135 eyes) with BRAO was evaluated.
• Ophthalmic examinations, visual acuity, visual fields, and fluorescein fundus angiography were performed at initial and follow-up visits.

Main Results:

• Retinal infarcts showed a decreasing probability of persistence over time (89% at 1 week to 13% at 3 months).
• Optic disc pallor developed in 65% by 3 months, while arteriolar attenuation and sheathing were observed in 28% and 25% respectively by 6-12 months.
• Retinal emboli were present in 58% of cases, frequently detected within the first week of BRAO onset.

Conclusions:

• Embolism from cardiac or carotid sources is the most common etiology of BRAO, with emboli typically lodging at arteriolar bifurcations.
• The migration and disappearance of retinal emboli are common occurrences.
• The study describes the characteristic evolution of retinal and optic disc changes following BRAO.