CORRELATION OF FUNDUS AUTOFLUORESCENCE WITH FOVEAL MICROSTRUCTURES AND VISION IN BRANCH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

Abstract

To investigate the correlation of fundus autofluorescence (FAF) with the findings of spectral domain optical coherence tomography and visual acuity in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion and to determine the visual prognostic factors. Retrospectively, an evaluation of FAF, spectral domain optical coherence tomography images, and visual acuity before and after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (pre- and post-IVB) was obtained in 42 patients with branch retinal vein occlusion who underwent IVB as their first treatment. The FAF of fovea was graded on a scale of 1 to 4. The visual acuity post-IVB was associated with the visual acuity pre-IVB. Preservation of external limiting membrane and photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction pre- and post-IVB were associated with better visual acuity post-IVB. Eyes with less FAF pre-IVB were closely associated with better visual acuity post-IVB. The shorter length of photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction and external limiting membrane defect and less FAF pre-IVB showed a significant association with better visual acuity post-IVB. These associations could help to predict potential restoration of photoreceptor integrity and visual recovery in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion, in whom photoreceptor integrity before treatment could not be adequately evaluated, even with spectral domain optical coherence tomography.