Hard exudates and elevated level of serum lipids in branch retinal vein occlusion

Purpose: To report the relation between hard exudates and serum lipid levels in cases of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Cases and Method: This retrospective study was made on 89 eyes of 89 cases who received vitrectomy for BRVO. The series comprised 40 males and 49 females. The age averaged 67.1 years. Hard exudates were present or became apparent in 12 eyes and were absent throughout in 77 cases. Results: There was no difference between the two groups regarding age, duration of BRVO before surgery, visual acuity, or macular thickness. Cases with hard exudates had significantly higher serum levels of total cholesterol (p=0.005) and showed poorer recovery of cystoid macular edema 6 months after vitrectomy (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Eyes with BRVO were characterized by higher serum levels of total cholesterol and slower postoperative absorption of cystoid macular edema.