Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy for Macular Edema following Central Retinal Vein Occlusion: 1 Initial Injection versus 3 Monthly Injections

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the 12-month efficacy of 1 initial intravitreal injection of an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent followed by pro re nata (PRN) dosing with that of 3 initial monthly injections followed by PRN dosing in patients with macular edema (ME) after central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods: Twenty-nine eyes received 1 initial injection (1+PRN group) and 20 received 3 monthly injections (3+PRN group). Results: At month 12, changes in logMAR visual acuity from baseline were -0.172 ± 0.372 and -0.142 ± 0.317 in the 1+PRN and 3+PRN groups, respectively; the difference was not significant (p = 0.769). The number of anti-VEGF injections administered in the 3+PRN group (5.9 ± 2.1) was significantly greater than that in the 1+PRN group (4.1 ± 2.8; p = 0.022). Conclusion: When used for ME after CRVO, a 1+PRN regimen achieved 12-month outcomes similar to those of a 3+PRN regimen with fewer injections.