Direct photocoagulation to leakage points to treat chronic macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion: a pilot study

SUMMARY STATEMENT Direct photocoagulation reduces the central foveal thickness (CFT) in cases with chronic branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) of longer than 12 months duration. Photo-coagulation might be effective for chronic macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion. BACKGROUND The aim was to investigate the effect of direct photocoagulation for treating chronic macular edema associated with BRVO. METHODS This study was a noncomparative, pilot interventional case series. We examined the CFT and best-corrected visual acuity over 6 months in patients with BRVO treated with direct photocoagulation. RESULTS Sixteen eyes of 16 patients had been treated with direct photocoagulation (mean follow-up period, 20.5 months). The mean CFT decreased significantly (P<0.001) between the baseline (465 μm) and the final visit (304 μm). The mean (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution equivalent) best-corrected visual acuity at the baseline was 0.39 and improved significantly (P<0.001) to 0.20 at the final visit. CONCLUSION Direct photocoagulation to leakage points is beneficial for treating chronic macular edema associated with chronic BRVO of longer than 12 months duration.