Vitrectomy for macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the long-term outcomes of vitrectomy for the macular edema associated with a retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods: This was a retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series. The intraopera-tive procedures included internal limiting membrane peeling, arteriovenous sheathotomy, radial optic neurotomy, and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection at the end of the surgery. The main outcome was the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Results: Eight hundred and fifty-four eyes of 854 patients were studied. The eyes consisted of 602 with branch RVO (BRVO), 74 with hemi-central RVO (hemi-CRVO), 87 with nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), and 91 with ischemic CRVO. The mean follow-up period was 68.6 months with a range of 12 to 262 months. The mean BCVA was significantly improved at the final visit (P<0.0001 to 0.0016). The final BCVA improved in 74.4% of the BRVO eyes, in 58.1% of the hemi-CRVO eyes, in 57.4% of the nonischemic CRVO eyes, and in 51.6% of the ischemic CRVO eyes. Multiple regression analysis showed there was no significant relationship between the intraoperative combined procedures and the final BCVA. Conclusions: The results indicate that the type of RVO is significantly associated with the final BCVA, and vitrectomy is a treatment option to improve and maintain BCVA for a long term.