Preoperative visual acuity as a prognostic indicator for laser treatment of macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion.
To determine the visual outcome of laser treatments for macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in patients with a preoperative visual acuity (VA) of 20/200 or worse compared to patients with a preoperative VA of better than 20/200.



Records of 88 patients with macular edema secondary to BRVO undergoing laser treatment from 1984 to 2003 were reviewed. Mean VA was measured before and after each treatment and after the final treatment.



All patients received between one and five laser treatments. Preoperative VA was better than 20/200 in 56 patients (group 1) and 20/200 or worse in 32 patients (group 2). Patients in group 1 had a mean improvement of 0.48 lines and 57% had a final VA of 20/40 or better. Patients in group 2 had a mean improvement of 1.69 lines and 20% had a final VA of 20/40 or better.



Patients with poor VA (20/200 or worse) secondary to macular edema due to BRVO responded positively to laser treatment. The level of preoperative VA can be a useful predictor of visual outcome. These patients should consider laser treatment before alternative, more aggressive approaches.
Subramanian
Manju L
ML
Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, USA.
Heier
Jeffrey S
JS
Esrick
Erica
E
Devaiah
Anand K
AK
Topping
Trexler M
TM
Frederick
Albert R
AR
Morley
Michael G
MG
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*