Follow up and treatment results of retinal vein occlusions

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the second cause of severe vision loss after diabetic retinopathy in the retinal vascular disease. Macular edema, macular non-perfusion, retinal neovascularization, intravitreal or intraretinal hemorrhage, tractional retina detachment and as a result of this disease can occur blindness. In this study; we investigated the risk factors, follow-up process and impact of treatment options on the visual acuity and central macular thickness on patients who diagnosed with RVO in our clinic. We analyzed retrospectively the records of patients who were followed and treated at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Ophthalmology Department between January 2009 and March 2014 diagnosed with central and branch RVO. 150 eyes of 143 patients were enrolled in the study. The demographic characteristics of patients, examination and optic coherance tomography (OCT) findings before and after treatment were recorded. The effectiveness and complications of the treatment methods were evaluated. HT is the most common and the most important risk factor of RVO; glaucoma has a greater significance for central RVO. Patients with central RVO have lower initial visual acuity, higher CMT and greater ischemia according to branch RVO. Macular edema, retinal ischemia and ocular neovascularization are the most common and most serious complications leading to reduced visual acuity. Intravitreal anti-VEGF and steroid therapies are the effective treatment options in patients with macular edema. Early treatment, regular follow-up and the management of complications such as cataract and glaucoma can provide more successful visual and anatomical results. Pathogenesis, clinic and treatment of RVO are not a single entity; the detection and treatment of accompanying risk factors, to identify the optimum treatment options and range are necessary for each patients.