Sheathotomy for Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To present a patient with a branch retinal vein occlusion who underwent sheathotomy at the optic disc margin with good visual outcome. Methods: A 63 year-old woman had an inferotemporal branch retinal vein occlusion at an arterio-venous crossing adjacent to the optic disc margin. She underwent a pars plana vitrectomy and incision of the common arterio-venous sheath. Results: The patient's vision improved from 20/800 to 20/80 in the 2 months following the procedure. Clinical examination revealed a decrease in intraretinal hemorrhage and macular edema. Fluoroscein angiography revealed decreased leakage in the early and late phases. Conclusion: Our case report demonstrates substantial visual improvement after sheathotomy in a case with an occlusion close to the optic disc margin. Sheathotomy may be considered in selected patients with branch retinal vein occlusion not eligible for laser photocoagulation per the BVOS guidelines. This case suggests that the technique may be more applicable in cases where the occlusion is close to the optic disc margin.

Keywords: 628 vitreoretinal surgery