Evaluation of arteriovenous crossing sheathotomy for branch retinal vein occlusion by fluorescein videoangiography and image analysis.

Purpose: We quantitatively evaluated the effects of arteriovenous (A/V) crossing sheathotomy on retinal circulation in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) accompanied by macular edema.

Design: Interventional case series.

Methods: In 18 consecutive patients (18 eyes) with BRVO accompanied by macular edema who underwent A/V crossing sheathotomy between August 1999 and April 2002, changes in retinal circulation after the surgery were evaluated by fluorescein videoangiography with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope and by image analysis using dye dilution technique.