Optical coherence tomography parameters predictive of visual outcome after anti-VEGF therapy for retinal vein occlusion

Akiko Fujihara-Mino, Yoshinori Mitamura, Naoki Inomoto, Hiroki Sano, Kei Akaiwa, Kentaro Semba Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan Purpose: To determine the optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters that are predictive of visual outcome after anti-VEGF therapy for a retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods: Fifty-seven eyes with macular edema (ME) secondary to a central or branch RVO treated with bevacizumab or ranibizumab were studied. Spectral-domain OCT and microperimetry were performed before, 1, 3, and 6 months after the treatment and at the final visit. Central retinal thickness (CRT), macular volume (MV), integrity of the external limiting membrane (ELM), ellipsoid zone (EZ), and foveal bulge (FB), and photoreceptor outer segment (PROS) length were determined. Results: The mean follow-up period was 17.8±11.5 months. In 46 of the 57 eyes, a resolution of the ME was achieved. The pretreatment CRT and MV, presence of intact ELM, EZ, and FB, and PROS length at the time of ME resolution were significantly correlated with the best-corrected visual acuity and retinal sensitivity at the final visit (P<0.050). Multiple regression analyses showed that the pretreatment MV had the highest correlation with the posttreatment best-corrected visual acuity and retinal sensitivity (P<0.050). Conclusion: The CRT, MV, ELM, EZ, FB, and PROS length are predictive factors for the visual outcome after anti-VEGF therapy for RVO. Keywords: anti-VEGF therapy, retinal sensitivity, retinal vein occlusion, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, visual acuit