Comparison of Therapeutic Efficacy on Grid Laser Photocoagulation Combined with Aflibercept and Ranibizumab as Pro re Nata Regimen for Macular Edema Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the therapeutic efficacy of grid laser photocoagulation (GLP) with intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) versus ranibizumab (IVR) on eyes with macular edema (ME) due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Methods: A total of 139 patients (139 naive eyes) with ME caused by BRVO which was received therapy for IVA combined with GLP (72 eyes) against IVR combined with GLP (67 eyes), retrospectively reviewed. Main outcomes for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT), central foveal volume (CFV) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were recorded from baseline to final visit. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) were used to show anatomic findings. GLP was implemented over the focal leaks seen on the FFA that used a 532 nm diode laser system. BRVO was classified as ischemic and non- ischemic according to FFA findings. Results: The mean age was 65.49 ± 9.59 years (range; 45 - 87 years) and mean follow-up time was 37.95 ± 13.29 months (range; 13 - 60 months). Average IVA and IVR injection counts from baseline to final visit were 3.84 ± 1.85 (range; 1 to 9) and, 4.89 ± 2.49 (range; 1 to 10) respectively (p=0.011). Mean counts of GLP in IVA and IVR groups from baseline to final visit were 3.4 ± 1.2 (range; 2 to 8) and, 3.5 ± 1.1 (range; 2 to 7), respectively (p=0.610). The mean CFT decreased from baseline to final visit were 537.40 ± 181.84 μm to 266.43 ± 51.89 μm in the IVA group, and 528.94 ± 177.52 μm to 312.59 ± 78.15 μm in the IVR group (p