Abstract
Purpose :
To test the hypotesis that branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is more prevalent in our population than reported in other etnicities also describing its epidemiological behavior.
Methods :
Retrospective descriptive study of patients with BRVO diagnosis at Institute of Ophthalmology Conde de Valenciana in Mexico between January 2012 to January 2022. Categoric variables were analyzed using Pearson’s Chi squared test and binominal logistic regression. Groups were compared using Student’s T-test, Mann Whitney’s U test and Wilcoxon’s test. A p<0.05 was considered significant.
Results :
We reviewed 1639 clinical histories of which 1263 were new BRVO diagnoses. 211 patients reunited inclusion criteria and were included for analysis. A prevalence of 2.94 cases per 1000 was calculated. One hundred eleven patients were female (52.61%). Mean age at diagnosis was 62 ± 12.2 years. Most had arterial hypertension (61.1%) followed by type II diabetes mellitus (24.6%). Glaucoma and history of retinal vein occlusion were frequent ophthalmic antecedents. Most frequent occlusion site was superior temporal (47.4%). The most frequent complication was macular edema (ME) (71.5%) specially in inferior temporal BRVOs (n=56, 74.7%). Superior nasal (SN) BRVO demonstrated to be a risk factor for retinal neovascularization (RNV) (odds ratio 3.57). Mean difference in initial and final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was not significant between the occlusion sites. Relationship between the first complication and final BCVA was found (p<0.001). Moderate correlation between initial and final BCVA was demonstrated (r=0.425 p=<0.001).
Conclusions :
BRVO epidemiology in this study is similar to that reported in literature. Prevalence was lower than expected probably influenced by the decrease in patient attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The different complications were present evenly in all the occlusion site groups with only SN BRVO being a risk factor for RNV. Occlusion site did not correlate with BCVA due to unequally sized groups and possible bias by glaucoma. The first complication influenced final BCVA being better in patients with RNV mostly because vitreous hemorrhage caused initial decrease in vision and improvement was significant when it cleared. Finally, a better initial BCVA was correlated with a better final BCVA highlighting the importance of a prompt diagnosis and treatment.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.