Integrity of Foveal Photoreceptor Layer in Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

In Brief Purpose: To study the correlation between final visual acuity and integrity of the foveal photoreceptor layer after resolution of macular edema (ME) associated with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods: We studied retrospectively 27 eyes of 27 patients with resolved ME associated with central retinal vein occlusion. On optical coherence tomography, integrity of the foveal photoreceptor layer was studied using the junctions between inner and outer segments of the photoreceptor (IS/OS) line as a hallmark. Results: At the final visit, foveal thickness was decreased to a physiologic level in all eyes. On optical coherence tomography, 14 eyes showed the IS/OS line in the fovea, whereas 13 eyes showed no IS/OS line. In concordance with resolution of the ME, visual acuity had improved significantly by the final visit. However, final visual acuity in eyes without an IS/OS line was significantly poorer than that in eyes with an IS/OS line (P < 0.0001). In addition, integrity of the foveal photoreceptor layer after resolution of the ME had a significant correlation with the initial retinal perfusion status (P = 0.0156) and with initial visual acuity (P = 0.0050). Conclusions: After resolution of the ME associated with central retinal vein occlusion, visual acuity is closely associated with integrity of the foveal photoreceptor layer. Optical coherence tomography allowed the authors to examine integrity of the photoreceptor layer by studying the junctions between inner and outer segments of the photoreceptors. After resolution of the macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion, visual acuity is correlated closely with integrity of the foveal photoreceptor layer.