title: Recurrence of macular edema in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion changes the diameter of unaffected retinal vessels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure unaffected retinal vessel diameter in eyes with macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) after intravitreal injection with bevacizumab (IVB).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with BRVO-induced ME who responded to IVB were assessed at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months. In both eyes, the diameters of the largest arteriole and venule in all quadrants (except occlusion quadrant) were measured by using a computer-assisted method. The same vessels chosen at baseline were measured at each follow-up examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-two eyes were participated. At baseline, venular diameters of unaffected quadrants in eyes with BRVO were larger than the venules in the corresponding quadrant of the fellow eyes (p < 0.05, respectively). The venular diameters in all quadrants of the affected eyes decreased significantly relative to baseline after IVB (p < 0.05 respectively). Twenty-two eyes (52.4 %) developed recurrent ME. On recurrence at 3 (n = 15, 35.7 %) or 6 months (n = 7, 16.7 %), the unaffected venular diameters increased significantly (p < 0.05 respectively). These diameters again decreased significantly after a second IVB (p < 0.05 respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unaffected retinal venular diameters associate with the course of BRVO with ME. This may help elucidate the pathological mechanism underlying BRVO.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 130 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41944, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Chan
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Im
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 130 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41944, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Pil
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 130 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41944, South Korea.
authors.forename: In Taek
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 130 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41944, South Korea. sarasate2222@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Dong Ho
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000068258:Bevacizumab / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000068258:Bevacizumab
keywords: Branch retinal vein occlusion; Macular edema; Retinal vessel diameter