Figure 4

Direct laser photocoagulation targeted at microaneurysms was effective for refractory macular edema in branch retinal vein occlusion.

Patients, Eleven eyes of 11 patients (5 men, 6 women). (A–C) optical coherence tomography (OCT) colored retinal map in patient with macular edema (ME) in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). (A) At baseline, the visual acuity (VA) was 0.8 decimal unit. (B) Fourteen months after BRVO onset, the VA was 0.7. The ME worsened despite twice sub-Tenon’s capsule injection of triamcinolone. (C) Twenty-four months after direct laser photocoagulation for microaneurysms, the ME resolved. However, the VA remained 0.6. (D) Baseline fluorescein angiogram (FA) (early phase) showed that the microaneurysms were barely visible. (E) FA (early phase) 14 months after BRVO onset. (F) Magnified image of (E). Numerous microaneurysms were seen around the non-perfusion areas. (G) Changes in the logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (log MAR) VA before and after application of direct laser photocoagulation. There was no significant difference. (H) Changes in the central retinal thickness (CRT) before and after application of direct laser photocoagulation. The CRT significantly (P < 0.05) decreased after direct laser photocoagulation. Error bars represent the standard error of the mean above or below. NS, not significant.