AIM:Analysis of visual prognosis and correlative factors in patients with branch retinal artery occlusion(BRAO).

METHODS: Retrospective medical record review of 68 eyes of 68 patients with BRAO seen at Fushun Ophthalmology Hospital from June 2015 and June 2017. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded, including gender, age, race, eye involved, and best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), spectral domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT)and optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA, OptoVue). The OCTA retinal blood flow imaging scan mode was performed, the scanning region in the macular area were 3mm×3mm. the patients were followed up for 6mo.

RESULTS: On presentation, 69% of eyes with BRAO had BCVA of 0.5 or better, 24% of moderate visual impairment(0.1-0.4)and 7% of severe visual impairment(<0.1). At the 6-month visit, the percentage of eyes with slight, moderate and severe visual impairment was 75%, 19% and 6% respectively. The presenting BCVA(r=0.776, P<0.001), the integrity of superficial foveal capillary arcade(r=-0.003, P<0.001), the integrity of deep foveal capillary arcade(r=-0.003, P<0.001), the density of superficial retinal capillary plexuses(r=-0.034, P=0.029)and the density of deep retinal capillary plexuses(r=-0.014, P=0.012)were found to be statistically significant with regard to visual outcome. Male, age, duration of symptoms, macular retinal thickness, area of macular involvement(superior or inferior)and presence or absence of emboli were not found to be statistically significant with regard to follow-up BCVA(r=0.273, 0.01, 0, 0.082, 0.41, 0.109, all P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The integrity of foveal capillary arcade, the density of retinal capillary plexuses and the presenting BCVA are dosely associated with visual outcome of patients with branch retinal artery occlusion.