Evaluation of Photocoagulation for Macular Edema in Hemiretinal Vein Occlusions Versus No Treatment: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of cystoid macular edema (CME) secondary to hemiretinal vein occlusions (HRVO). Methods: A retrospective review of charts was performed to identify patients with angiographically documented and clinical evidence of CME with decreased visual acuity secondary to a HRVO. Patients selected had a history of HRVO for at least 10 weeks with a visual acuity between 5/200 and 20/50 with no apparent explanation for decrease vision except for HRVO. Patients were excluded from the study if they had macular ischemia, other causes of visual loss, or previous laser. Patients were followed-up for at least 5 months. Results: Thirteen eyes of 13 patients met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Mean age was 68 years old with 7 males and 6 females. Eleven patients underwent laser and 2 did not receive any treatment. The median initial visual acuity was 20/150 and the median final visual acuity was 20/200. Only one patient treated with laser had an improvement of ≷ 2 lines and had a visual acuity of ≷ 20/40. Fourty-six percent (6/13) had clinical evidence of decreased edema after laser. Conclusion: This small study may indicate that CME related to HRVO may be more like CME related to central retinal vein occlusions rather than branch retinal vein occlusions. CR: None

Keywords: 615 vascular occlusion/vascular occlusive disease • 454 laser