Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion- Clinical and Imaging Correlation
Dr. Sarang Lambat, Dr. Vinay Nangia
Suraj Eye Institute, 559 New colony, Nagpur, India
Case Description
A female, 45 years of age, came with blurring of vision in left eye since 3 months. She was a known diabetic and hypertensive under treatment since 2 years. Her best corrected visual acuity was 6/6 in right eye (OD) and 6/24 in the left eye (OS). Anterior segment examination was normal in both eyes (OU). Intraocular pressure recorded by Goldmann applanation tonometer was 18 mmHg in OD and 15 mmHg in OS. Fundus examination revealed a normal macula in OD with a vertical cup disc ratio (VCDR) of 0.4 and an old inferonasal retinal vein occlusion. Left eye fundus showed presence of Infero-temporal vein occlusion with macular edema and neovascularisation of the disc.

Figure 1b: Fluorescein angiogram (FFA) photo shows presence of significant disc leakage (red arrow) and capillary non perfusion areas (yellow arrows) along the inferotemporal arcade along with leakage along the edges suggestive of macular edema.


Figure 3b: FFA of the right eye shows a normal dye transit.
On the basis of these findings she was given one dose of intravitreal anti VEGF in the left eye followed by sectoral retinal as well as macular laser. She improved significantly in terms of reduction in macular edema and resolution of neovascularization. Her BCVA improved to 6/12 in the left eye.


Discussion
This patient had a major vein occlusion which drains a larger retinal area. FFA showed presence of significant amount of retinal ischaemia which is a predictor of subsequent neovascularisation. Anti VEGFs have a significant role in controlling retinal neovascularization due to various causes. Additional laser photocoagulation to ischaemic areas prevents recurrent neovascularization and subsequent problems because of vitreous traction and retinal breaks.
As per the Marvel report no 3, baseline central macular OCT thickness of <500 μm, hyper-reflective dots, and GCL cystoid spaces are associated with poorer gains in visual acuity. In our case patient just improved 2 lines of vision which could be attribute to presence of all the 3 features mentioned in this report along with increased duration of presentation.
Readwise
- Narayanan R, Stewart MW, Chhablani J, Panchal B, Pappuru RR, Das T, Jalali S, Ali MH. Baseline morphological characteristics as predictors of final visual acuity in patients with branch retinal vein occlusions: MARVEL report no. 3. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2018 Sep;66(9):1291-1294. doi: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_342_18. PMID: 30127143; PMCID: PMC6113821.
- Venkatesh R, Pereira A, Sangai S, Thomas S, Yadav NK. Prognostic Value of Hyperreflective Material on Visual Acuity in Treatment-Naïve BRVO. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020 Jun 1;51(6):320-327. doi: 10.3928/23258160-20200603-02. PMID: 32579690.
Correspondence
Dr. Sarang Lambat
MS, FRF
Consultant
Vitreoretinal services
Suraj Eye Institute
Nagpur
Email –education@surajeye.org