Arteriovenous Sheathotomy for Persistent Macular Edema in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of arteriovenous (AV) sheathotomy with internal limiting membrane peeling for persistent or recurrent macular edema after intravitreal triamcinolone injection and/or laser photocoagulation in branch retinal vein occlusion. METHODS Twenty-two eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) with recurrent macular edema underwent vitrectomy with AV sheathotomy and internal limiting membrane peeling. All eyes had previous intravitreal triamcinolone injection and/or laser photocoagulation for macular edema. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) before and after surgery were compared. RESULTS The mean preoperative BCVA (log MAR) were 0.79 +/- 0.29 and postoperative BCVA (log MAR) at 3 months was 0.57 +/- 0.33. And improvement of visual acuity > or = 2 lines was observed in 10 eyes (45%). The mean preoperative fovea thickness measured by OCT was 595.22 +/- 76.83 microm (510-737 microm) and postoperative fovea thickness was 217.60 +/- 47.33 microm (164-285 microm). CONCLUSIONS Vitrectomy with AV sheathotomy can be one treatment option for the patients with recurrent macular edema in BRVO.