Abstract: Objective To evaluate the value of Fufang Xueshuan Tong Capsule for branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO) and its effect on the formation of collateral vessels. Design Clinical comparing study. Participants 90 cases with a defined natural BRVO history of 3~6 months were enrolled. Methods 90 cases were randomly divided into two group: treatment group (45 cases) and control group (45 cases). All the patients in treatment group were prescribed Fufang Xueshuan Tong Capsule (1.5 g, tid) and iodizedlecithin (1.5 mg, tid), while troxerutin  (120 mg, tid) and iodizedlecithin (1.5 mg, tid)  for the controls. All the patients received a monthly visual acuity and fundus examination using indirect ophthalmoscope, and received fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA) per 3 months. When the nonperfusion area revealed by FFA was more than 5 PD or neovascularisation, the laser photocoagulation was performed. Evaluation on the formation of the collateral vessels at the 6th month. Main Outcome Measures The prevalence of laser treatment and the formation of the collateral vessels. Results In treatment group, 31(68.89%) patients received laser treatment, while 33(73.33%) patients were treated by laser in control group. The difference between the two groups showed no significance (P=0.37). At the 6th month, collateral vessels could be detected in 34 (75.56%) patients in treatment group, while 24 (53.33%) patients in control group. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.047). Conclusions Fufang Xueshuan Tong Capsule might be helpful to the formation of the collateral vessels in BRVO.

Key words: branch retinal vein occlusion, microcirculation, collateral vessels, Fufang Xueshuan Tong Capsule