Combined intravitreal ranibizumab and retinal laser photocoagulation for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion

Abstract

Objective To observe a short-term effectiveness of combination intravitreal injections of ranibizumab and retinal laser photocoagulation for macular edema secondary to RVO.Methods A prospective,open-controlled study observed 32 eyes of 32 patients with macular edema secondary to RVO,including 12 branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) eyes,20 central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) eyes.All the patients were examined for BCVA of standard visual acuity chart logarithmic transforming to logMAR for statistical analysis,intraocular pressure,FFA and OCT before and after treatment.The eyes received 0.5mg intravitreal Lucentis,combining 577nm retinal laser photocoagulation within 5 to 7 days.Repeated injections were received in necessary.The BCVA,macular central retinal thickness (CRT) and ocular and systemic adverse reactions about drugs and treatments were followed up.Spearman correlation coefficient was used to measure the strength of correlation between repeated injection times,BCVA and CRT.Results The follow-up ranged from 3 to 10 months,an average of 5.07 months.No ocular or systemic adverse events were observed in follow-up period.The repeat time of injections in BRVO eyes was 1 to 3 months,and mean times (1.69±0.85).The difference of mean BCVA and CRT before and after therapy was statistically meaningful (t =3.832,4.496,P ＜0.05).The repeated times of injection in CRVO eyes was 1 to 4,and mean times (2.14±0.79),the difference of mean BCVA and CRT before and after therapy was statistically meaningful (t =3.884,5.797,P ＜0.05).BCVA post-treatment was correlated to BCVA pre-treatment (r =0.854,0.673,P ＜0.05) in any RVO.The repeated times had no correlation with baseline BCVA and CRT (P□0.05).BCVA pre-treatment and post-treatment had no correlation with baseline CRT (P0.05).Conclusions In the treatment of RVO with ME,combining intravitreal injection of Lucentis and retinal laser photocoagulation can reduce the degree of CRT,improve the visual function.Repeated injections are needed in necessary.The long term effectiveness is expected to look further. Key words: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor; Retinal vein occlusion; Macular edema