Axial length, refractive error, and keratometry in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE. To evaluate ocular parameters that may predispose to the development of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS. This prospective study included patients with unilateral BRVO evaluated in the authors' clinic. The mean period from the acute phase was 2.29 ± 1.57 years (range 1-6 years). All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination including subjective refraction, axial length measurements, and keratometry readings. The fellow eye served as a control in each patient. The variables of interest were compared between the affected eye and the fellow eye using the parametric t-test and the nonparametric Wilcoxon test. RESULTS. Twenty-four consecutive patients (14 women, 10 men, mean age 62.4 years) were included in the study. The mean axial length in the affected eye was significantly shorter compared to the mean fellow eye length. No difference was found between the two eyes in mean subjective refraction or mean keratometry readings. CONCLUSIONS. The authors found that eyes with BRVO have a shorter axial length compared to the fellow eye in the same patient.