Spectral domain OCT documented resolution of recalcitrant macular edema after intravitreal bevacizumab in branch retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE

Cystoid macular edema is one of the important causes of visual loss in branch retinal vein occlusion. Proximity of the cyst to the external limiting membrane and disruption of the layer on time domain optical coherence tomography is associated with poor final visual outcomes. The authors describe pre- and post-intravitreal bevacizumab spectral domain optical coherence tomography features in a case of cystoid macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion that was resolved after treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab.

METHODS

A 50-year-old woman was diagnosed with cystoid macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion and underwent intravitreal injection with bevacizumab after the primary treatment with laser photocoagulation failed.

RESULTS

The patient's visual acuity recovered from 20/40 to 20/20. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography documented complete resolution of a large foveal cyst (150 micronm by 280 micronm) and recovery of the discontinuity of the external limiting membrane 1 week after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography is a useful tool in identifying the ultrastructural changes associated with cystoid macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion and identifying the possible factors involved in prognosticating visual outcome after effective treatment.