Natural History of Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion: Reanalysis of Visual Outcomes and Prognosis

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To evaluate the natural course, prognosis, and visual outcomes of patients with branch retinal artery occlusion and assess visual recovery statistics as documented in previous publications. Methods: Retrospective medical record review of patients with the diagnosis of BRAO was performed in a private vitreoretinal practice. The standard care for all eyes was observation. Patients with concurrent retinal disease were excluded. Results: The mean duration between onset of symptoms and initial examination with confirmation of the diagnosis of BRAO was two months. The mean presenting best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/400. At mean 12 months follow up, the mean BCVA was 20/200. No eye developed anterior or posterior segment neovascularization or other complication. Conclusions: Although 69% of eyes had a final BCVA of >20/40, the remaining 31% had severe vision loss due to BRAO. This study is ongoing and long term follow up data will be forthcoming.

Keywords: vascular occlusion/vascular occlusive disease • retina • visual acuity