Retinal neovascularization in a case of macular branch retinal vein occlusion

Background, Retinal neovascularization (RNV) has never been described in cases of macular branch retinal vein occlusion (MBRVO), due to the limited amount of ischemia in this form of retinal vein occlusion. Ischemic areas as wide as 5-10 disc diameters were required by previous studies to count as ischemic cases of central or major branch retinal vein occlusion. Case report. A 56-year-old woman who had been suffering from MBRVO for 3 years presented at the posterior pole a zone of non-perfusion, extending over 7.5 disc areas, and three small tufts of RNV. RNV regressed after two subsequent laser treatments of the ischemia. Retrohyaloid hemorrhage was observed 2 months after the first treatment. Conclusion. Since the average diameter of the non-perfused area was about 2.75 disc diameters, this case demonstrates that small RNVs can appear in less extensive areas of ischemia than is generally believed.