correlation between optical coherence tomography features and visual acuity in macular edema associated with retinal venous occlusion

ABSTRACT

To investigate the correlation between the features of optical coherence tomography [OCT] and central macular thickness [CMT], and the best-corrected visual acuity in macular edema complicating retinal vein occlusion. In a prospective study, OCT was performed in 37 eyes of 37 patients with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion. Twenty five eyes had central retinal vein occlusion [CRVO], and 12 eyes had branch retinal vein occlusion [BRVO]. The OCT features were categorized into type 1, sponge-like retinal swelling; type 2, cystoid macular edema; and type 3, serous retinal detachment. Visual acuity at presentation correlated with CMT [r = 0.650, P <0.0001]. OCT type 1 showed the least CMT [P <0.0001] and the best visual acuity [P <0.0001]. A serous retinal detachment [type 3] undetectable by slit-lamp biomicroscopy and fundus fluorescein angiography was identified in 23 eyes [62.2%] using OCT. Our analysis showed that eyes with OCT type 3 had the worst visual acuity [P <0.0001] and the thickest CMT [P <0.0001]. There was a significant correlation between CMT and OCT patterns of macular edema and visual acuity at presentation