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. 1998 Feb;82(2):162–167. doi: 10.1136/bjo.82.2.162

Effect of isovolaemic haemodilution on visual outcome in branch retinal vein occlusion

H Chen 1, J Wiek 1, A Gupta 1, A Luckie 1, E Kohner 1
PMCID: PMC1722474  PMID: 9613383

Abstract

AIMS—To assess the efficacy of isovolaemic haemodilution therapy (IHT) in the treatment of patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).
METHODS—Patients presenting with BRVO between 1 July 1991 and 31 August 1993 were eligible for inclusion and randomised into treatment and control groups. Patients randomised to receive IHT were treated for 6 weeks with venesection and volume replacement using hydroxyethylstarch, a plasma expander. The target haematocrit was 35%. Follow up was for 1 year.
RESULTS—The baseline visual acuity of the two groups was similar at 0.74 and 0.75 logMAR units (Snellen 6/36), for the IHT and control groups, respectively. At 6 weeks, visual acuity in the IHT group had improved by 0.20 logMAR units (2 lines on the Bailey-Lovie chart) (p=0.0001). Vision was unchanged in the control group. At 1 year, the IHT group exhibited an improvement of 0.43 logMAR units. By comparison, the improvement in the control group at 1 year was significantly less at 0.17 logMAR units (p=0.03). The final visual acuity in the IHT and control groups was 0.30 (Snellen 6/12) and 0.60 (Snellen 6/24) logMAR units, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS—The results support the theory that IHT has a positive effect on the visual outcome in patients with BRVO.

 Keywords: branch retinal vein occlusion; haemodilution; laser treatment; macular oedema

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Figure 1  .

Figure 1  

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Mean visual acuity. Each point shows the mean visual acuity (vertical bars, mean (SEM)) in both groups of patients from entry into the study to 1 year. The visual acuity is presented in logMAR units; a decreasing value indicates an improving visual acuity. The p value at which the difference between the two groups reaches statistical significance is shown.

Figure 2  .

Figure 2  

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(A) Visual acuity at 6 weeks. This presents the visual acuity at entry into the study and at 6 weeks. Values on the diagonal line are those experiencing no change; those above the line improved and those below deteriorated. (B) Visual acuity at 1 year. This presents the visual acuity at entry into the study and at 1 year. Values on the diagonal line are those experiencing no change; those above the line improved and those below deteriorated.

Selected References

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