The subfoveal choroidal thickness in healthy Japanese subjects decreased in thickness by 20 µm every 10 years. The subfoveal choroidal thickness in subjects younger than 10 years was significantly thicker than in other age groups. The subfoveal choroidal thickness also depended on the refractive error.

Optical coherence tomography angiography visualized parafoveal capillary nonperfusion in superficial and deep layers individually in eyes with resolved branch retinal vein occlusion. Retinal sensitivity was significantly reduced at these capillary nonperfusions.

PurposeTo investigate longitudinal changes in metamorphopsia associated with branch retinal vein occlusion.MethodsIn this prospective observational case series, we included 32 eyes (32 patients) with branch retinal vein occlusion and acute macular edema. Eyes were treated as needed with intravitreal ranibizumab injections for 12 months. At baseline and 1, 6, and 12 months after initiating treatment, metamorphopsia was quantified using M-CHARTS. Retinal morphology was examined through optical coherence tomography.ResultsLogarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity progressively improved from 0.342 ± 0.304 (Snellen equivalent: 20/44) at baseline to 0.199 ± 0.259 (20/32) and 0.118 ± 0.195 (20/26) at 1 and 12 months, respectively (both P < 0.001). The M-CHARTS score significantly decreased from 0.63 ± 0.61 at baseline to 0.45 ± 0.50 at 1 month (P = 0.044), but no further improvement was achieved with 1 year of additional treatment (6 months: 0.47 ± 0.53 [P = 0.094] and 12 months: 0.50 ± 0.44 [P = 0.173]). Three (13.6%) of 22 eyes with baseline metamorphopsia had complete metamorphopsia resolution. At 12 months, the M-CHARTS score was correlated with baseline foveal thickness (r = 0.373, P = 0.035) and the baseline M-CHARTS score (r = 0.503, P = 0.003). A multiple regression analysis revealed that only the baseline M-CHARTS score was correlated with the 12-month M-CHARTS score (β = 0.460, P = 0.027).ConclusionsEyes with branch retinal vein occlusion often have persistent metamorphopsia, even when visual acuity and retinal morphology improve. Metamorphopsia at 12 months was correlated with metamorphopsia and foveal thickness at baseline.

Deviation of retinal vessels due to the traction of the ERMs may contribute to the pathogenesis of PIRDs. PIRDs often cause visual field abnormalities corresponding to the location of the defect.