Materials and Methods: Thirty BRVO patients were evaluated prospectively between March 2003 and May 2004. Vitreous was examined with 90 D aspheric lens, Goldmann three mirror lens and ultrasonography (USG). The patients were grouped into two according to USG findings. Group I was consisting of 15 patients with total PVD, Group II was consisting of 15 patients with partial PVD or no PVD. After three months of follow up and after the resorbtion of intraretinal hemorrhages cases with unimproved visual accuities were evaluated with fundus fluorescein angiography and either sectorial or grid laser photocoagulation was done in necessary cases.

Results: In Group I macular edema was found in 14 cases (93.3%) at the initial examination, in 11 cases (73.3%) at the first month, in six cases (40.0%) at the third month, and in three (20.0%) at the sixth month examination; in Group II at the initial evaluation 14 cases (93.3%), at the first month in 11 cases (73.3%), at the third month in six cases (40.0%), and at the sixth month examination three cases had macular edema., In two eyes grid laser photocoagulation was performed. Macular edema at the initial evaluation, first month, third month, and sixth month examinations was found to be statistically insignificant between the groups. Three patients in Group I and one patients in Groupe II developed retina/ disc neovascularization. There was no statistically significant difference invisual acaities between the groups at the initial evaluation, third month, and sixth month examinations.

Conclusion: In cases with or without posterior vitreous detachment there was no statistically significant difference in the development of neither macular edema nor retinal/disc neovascularization at the first visit or during the follow-up period. Keywords : Branch retinal vein occlusion, posterior vitreous detachment, macular edema, neovascularization