Arterial crimping in branch retinal vein occlusion with macular edema

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of arterial crimping plus grid pattern laser photocoagulation on the macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy two eyes (70 patients) with macular edema due to BRVO were divided into two similar groups according to age, gender, location and extent of the occluded area. Grid pattern laser photocoagulation alone was applied in 34 eyes (group A), whereas arterial crimping plus grid pattern laser was used in 38 eyes (group B). Visual acuity, central 30 degree perimetry, and fundus fluorescein angiography were carried out in all patients at each examination. Patients were followed up for an average of 23 mo (ranging from 11 to 34 mo). FINDINGS: A rate of 62% and 79% improvement in macular edema was recorded in groups A and B, respectively (p=0.057). The perimetric performance value improved more in group B than in group A (p=0.028). In addition, visual acuity improved more in group B than group A (p=0.041). CONCLUSION: In patients with BRVO, grid pattern retinal photocoagulation treatment plus arterial crimping resulted in better visual performance two years after treatment than did grid pattern photocoagulation alone.