PubMed2004
PURPOSE: To determine whether surgical decompression of branch retinal vein occlusion at the arterio-venous (A/V) crossing is effective as a treatment for associated non ischemic macular edema. METHOD: A total of 13 consecutive patients with non ischemic macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion were treated in our clinic with A/V decompression: pars plana vitrectomy and an arteriovenous adventitial sheathotomy. An internal limiting membrane (ILM) maculorhexis was additionally performed in five patients. We assessed visual acuity, fundus biomicroscopy, and fluorescein angio-graphy preoperatively and after surgery. RESULTS: The surgical procedure and postoperative period were uneventful. Postoperative visual acuities improved in 12 patients (92%) at twelve months. Functional results in patients with internal limiting membrane (ILM) maculorhexis were significantly improved and in a shorter time span. CONCLUSIONS: Our results with surgical decompression of branch retinal vein occlusions describe the therapeutical effect of surgical A/V decompression in treatment of macular non ischemic macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion, and the additional performance of internal limiting membrane maculorhexis may improve visual prognosis. Whether sheathotomy is beneficial in the treatment of non ischemic macular edema has to be investigated further.