Relationship between stereopsis and vision-related quality of life in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion

Background: To investigate the relationship between stereopsis and vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) before and after treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR).

Methods: This prospective multicentred observational study included 37 patients undergoing IVR treatment for unilateral BRVO and 24 age-matched healthy controls.Stereopsis was evaluated using the TNO stereo test (TNO) and Titmus stereo test (TST) every month, and the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) was administered at baseline, then at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment.

Results: Time course of the changes in stereopsis and VR-QOL. IVR treatment significantly reduced central fovea thickness and improved both the TNO and the TST from 2 to 12 months (both p<0.05). Stereopsis before and after IVR injection in the eyes with BRVO were significantly worse than those in control subjects (TNO, p<0.001; TST, p<0.001). The VFQ-25 composite score significantly improved from 3 to 12 months after IVR treatment (p<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the TNO score at baseline was significantly correlated with the VFQ-25 composite score at baseline and after treatment (p<0.05, p<0.05, respectively). TST score was not associated with the VFQ-25 composite score at baseline or after treatment.

Conclusions: Treatment with IVR for BRVO improved cystoid macular oedema, which was correlated to improved stereopsis, although not to the control level. The TNO score at baseline was associated with VR-QOL in patients with BRVO.