Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of venous collaterals after branch and central retinal vein occlusion, assess the association of venous collaterals with other clinical features (including visual acuity), and determine if treatment with intravitreal corticosteroids influences the development of new venous collaterals.
Methods: Review of data from two multicenter randomized clinical trials in the Standard of Care versus COrticosteroid for REtinal Vein Occlusion (SCORE) Study.
Results: Statistically significant associations of venous collaterals and visual acuity at baseline or at follow-up were not found. Treatment with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide did not appear to influence the development of venous collaterals.
Conclusion: In contrast to some previous reports, development of venous collaterals did not demonstrate an independent association with visual acuity in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion or central retinal vein occlusion in the SCORE Study. Intravitreal steroid effects do not appear to influence the development of venous collaterals.