ABSTRACT

To evaluate functional and anatomical changes in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) up to 3 months in early referral BCVA cases.

Twenty-three eyes of 23 consecutive BRVO patients diagnosed within 4 weeks of symptom onset were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. Eyes were followed up without treatment. Measurements in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) at the baseline, 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months were evaluated.

The improvement in mean BCVA from the baseline to 2 weeks (p=0.043), 1 month (p=0.012) and 3 months was found statistically significant (p=0.001). Despite a decrease in central macular thickness (CMT) was observed, the change in CMT from the baseline to 3 months did not reach a clinical significance (p=0.068).

Considering the natural course in BRVO, follow-up without treatment may also be acceptable up to the first 3 months. Our results indicate that delaying treatment up to 3 months is not associated with increased CMT or deteriorated BCVA for recent onset early referral BRVO cases.

Keywords: natural course, branch retinal vein occlusion, best corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness