PURPOSE: To examine the efficacy of vitreous surgery for macular edema in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 183 patients (183 eyes) that underwent vitreous surgery for macular edema in BRVO. They were 77 males and 106 females. The average age of the patients was 65 years (range, 35-87 years). The average duration of macular edema was 18 weeks (range, 1-161 weeks). Mean preoperative visual acuity was 0.32 (0.01-1.2). Preoperative visual acuity was less than 0.1 in 27% and more than 0.5 in 26% of the cases. The average follow-up period was 24 months (range, 12-83 months). RESULTS: Macular edema was absorbed in 21% at 1 month, 54% at 3 months, 81% at 6 months, and 95% at 12 months postoperatively. The mean absorption period of macular edema was 4.5 months. Postoperative visual acuity improved to 0.68, which was statistically significant. Postoperative visual acuity was less than 0.1 in 9% of the cases, more than 0.5 in 68%, and more than 0.8 in 47%. CONCLUSION: After vitreous surgery for macular edema in BRVO, macular edema was absorbed rapidly and visual acuity improved. Vitreous surgery may be an effective treatment.
PURPOSE: To examine the efficacy of vitreous surgery for macular edema in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 183 patients (183 eyes) that underwent vitreous surgery for macular edema in BRVO. They were 77 males and 106 females. The average age of the patients was 65 years (range, 35-87 years). The average duration of macular edema was 18 weeks (range, 1-161 weeks). Mean preoperative visual acuity was 0.32 (0.01-1.2). Preoperative visual acuity was less than 0.1 in 27% and more than 0.5 in 26% of the cases. The average follow-up period was 24 months (range, 12-83 months). RESULTS:Macular edema was absorbed in 21% at 1 month, 54% at 3 months, 81% at 6 months, and 95% at 12 months postoperatively. The mean absorption period of macular edema was 4.5 months. Postoperative visual acuity improved to 0.68, which was statistically significant. Postoperative visual acuity was less than 0.1 in 9% of the cases, more than 0.5 in 68%, and more than 0.8 in 47%. CONCLUSION: After vitreous surgery for macular edema in BRVO, macular edema was absorbed rapidly and visual acuity improved. Vitreous surgery may be an effective treatment.