Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between retinal sensitivity and thickness of the macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).
Design: Prospective case series.
Methods: We prospectively examined 15 eyes of 15 patients with macular edema associated with BRVO. In each patient, retinal sensitivity in the macular area was examined with the Micro Perimeter 1 (MP-1); retinal thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Eyes with marked retinal hemorrhage or macular nonperfusion were excluded from the current study.
Results: Retinal sensitivity measured with the MP-1 was significantly correlated with retinal thickness in the fovea (R(2) = 0.460) and in all extrafoveal regions (R(2) = 0.383 to 0.794). In four eyes treated with triamcinolone acetonide, retinal sensitivity showed marked improvement in parallel with the reduction of the macular edema.
Conclusions: Retinal sensitivity in the macular area correlates linearly and negatively with increased retinal thickness in eyes with BRVO.