Longitudinal Changes of Retinal Thicknesses in Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion: Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Study

To analyze longitudinal thickness changes in the overall macula, ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL), and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO). A prospective analysis was conducted in patients with BRAO. The thicknesses of the overall macula, GC-IPL, and pRNFL were measured at the initial visit, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Changes in the occluded areas of the affected and unaffected eyes were analyzed, and the nonoccluded areas were compared. In the occluded areas of the affected eyes, the only overall macular thickness was significantly greater when compared with that of unaffected eyes at the initial visit. At 1 month, the thickness of GC-IPL alone in the occluded areas of affected eyes decreased significantly when compared with that of unaffected eyes. The average thicknesses of all parameters in the occluded areas at 3, 6, and 12 months were significantly reduced compared with those of the unaffected eyes. In addition, the thickness of pRNFL in the nonoccluded vertical mirror areas at 6 and 12 months was significantly reduced compared with those of the unaffected eyes. In BRAO patients, the occluded areas of affected eyes showed significant changes in the overall macular, GC-IPL, and pRNFL thicknesses when compared with those at initial visits and normal fellow eyes. The time points at which each thickness changed significantly were different.