Abstract
Background In this meta-analysis, the outcome was analysed of intravitreal anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) ocular therapy of macular oedema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion; this was related to baseline and treatment parameters. Material and Methods 36 relevant publications (33 case series) were identified in a MEDLINE-based literature search, which reported on 1,759 treated eyes. Statistical analysis included description of baseline, treatment, and outcome data, linear and non-linear regression and comparison of randomised and non-randomised studies. Results The mean improvement in visual acuity (VA) was 2.8 ± 0.9 lines (mean ± 1 standard deviation) at month 3, 3.1 ± 0.8 at month 6, and 3.2 ± 0.8 lines at month 12. The mean number of anti-VEGF injections was 3.8 ± 1.3 until month 6, and 4.1 ± 2.3 until month 12. Eyes in randomised trials received significantly more injections (4.8+/1.2) than those in non-randomised studies (2.9 ± 0.6, p = 0.0126) until month 6. At months 6 and 12, the gain in visual acuity was not significantly different between randomised and non-randomised studies (3.2 ± 0.4 versus 3.1 ± 1.0 lines, and 3.3 ± 0.4 versus 3.2 ± 1.0, respectively). Regression analysis did not indicate a significant relationship between the number of injections and the improvement in visual acuity at months 6 and 12. Visual acuity outcome was significantly worse in older patients at months 3, 6, and 12. Conclusions The results of this meta-analysis demonstrate that a substantially improved and favourable absolute visual acuity can be achieved with relatively few anti-VEGF injections in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion.
Published Version
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