Abstract:

Objective   To evaluate the relationship between photoreceptor cell layer and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in patients with retinal vein occlusion(RVO). Methods   The data of 88 patients (88 eyes) with retinal vein occlusion were collected in our hospital from August 2008 to August 2011, including 28 patients (28 eyes) with central RVO and 60 patients (60 eyes) with branch RVO. The continuity of foveal photoreceptor cell layers was observed by 3D-OCT. According to the test result of photoreceptor cells’ IS/OS layers, the patients were divided into 3 groups: completely continuous group (36 eyes), partly continuous group (40 eyes), and completely losing group (12 eyes). Then the differences of BCVA were compared among them. Results   BCVA of the three groups was 0.65±0.32， 0.54±0.27 and 0.08±0.06 respectively. There were significant differences in BCVA between patients who was completely lack of IS/OS layers and the others whose IS/OS partly or completely existed(P<0.01). No significant difference was found between completely continuous group and partly continuous group (P>0.05). Central foveal thickness of the three groups was (176.00±42.00)， (165.00±34.00) and (152.00±33.00)μm respectively, and no significant difference was found between them(F=2.05,P>0.05). Conclusion   The BCVA of patients with RVO improves when the continuity of photoreceptor cells increases, and more attention should be paid to protect foveal photoreceptor. 

Key words: Photoreceptor cell layer, Optical coherence tomography, Best corrected visual acuity, Retinal vein occlusion