Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion

Abstract

Purpose

To report the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in a 35-year-old man with acute inferior branch retinal artery occlusion.

Methods

OCT findings in acute branch retinal artery occlusion were evaluated.

Results

OCT disclosed diffuse thickening of the neurosensory retina in the inferior perifoveolar area. Increased reflectivity was noted in the inner retinal layers from the surface of the retina to the photoreceptor layers. Decreased reflectivity was observed from the photoreceptor layers and the retinal pigment epithelium secondary to the shadowing effect. Foveolar depression, photoreceptor layer in the fovea, and retinal pigment epithelium underneath the fovea were normal. OCT findings in the superior perifoveolar area were also normal.

Conclusions

In retinal artery occlusion, denaturation and breakdown of the normally transparent intracellular protein and an increase in the intracellular fluid cause ischemic whitening of the retina. Otherwise there is no retinal thickening secondary to the accumulation of serous fluid escaping from retinal capillaries into the extracellular space. The OCT findings support these descriptions.