Correlation between macular thickness and retinal hemorrhage and visual prognosis in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion

The association between macular thickness and retinal hemorrhage size remains underexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the correlation between macular thickness and retinal hemorrhage size and to determine visual prognosis in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). This retrospective study included 79 eyes with BRVO. The correlation between macular thickness and retinal hemorrhage size was determined. We investigated whether best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up visits was correlated with macular thickness in each retinal area or with retinal hemorrhage size, and which baseline clinical characteristics predicted visual prognosis. The macular thickness was mostly correlated with retinal hemorrhage size from baseline to the 6-month follow-up visit according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid. Furthermore, the central macular thickness, central retinal hemorrhage size, and logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA showed positive correlations at baseline and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up visits. Multivariable analysis evaluating the baseline factors associated with visual prognosis revealed that baseline central retinal hemorrhage size (standardized β coefficient = 0.377, p = 0.001) and baseline logMAR BCVA (standardized β coefficient = 0.420, p < 0.001) were significantly correlated with the final logMAR BCVA. Central retinal hemorrhage size, which can be observed in color photographs, may be valuable for estimating central retinal thickness. Additionally, baseline central retinal hemorrhage and baseline BCVA can be used as visual prognostic factors in patients with BRVO.