Stereopsis after Intravitreal Ranibizumab Injections for Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate stereopsis before and after intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) injections in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and investigate the relationship between stereopsis and retinal microstructure.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational, controlled study.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-two eyes of 32 patients undergoing IVR treatment for BRVO and 28 eyes of age-matched healthy control participants.

METHODS

Stereopsis was measured using the Titmus stereo test (TST) and TNO stereo test before and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months after treatment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Stereopsis, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), duration of disease, central retinal thickness, status of the external limiting membrane, ellipsoid zone, and external limiting membrane, and serous retinal detachment (SRD) after treatment.

RESULTS

Treatment with IVR significantly improved the TST (P < 0.001) and TNO stereo test (P < 0.05) scores as well as BCVA (P < 0.001) and central retinal thickness (P < 0.005). Stereopsis after IVR injection in eyes with BRVO was significantly worse than that in healthy control participants (TST, P < 0.001; TNO stereo test, P < 0.001). The TST and TNO stereo test scores were correlated significantly with BCVA and the presence of SRD at baseline. After 6 months of treatment, an association of TST and TNO stereo test scores with BCVA and status of the external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone was observed. Stereopsis after treatment showed a significant relationship with BCVA and presence of SRD at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of IVR for BRVO improved early stereopsis, albeit not to a normal level. Presence of SRD and visual acuity were predictors of stereopsis after treatment in patients with BRVO.