Long-term observation of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab combined with Ozurdex ®  in the treatment of retinal vein occlusion with macular edema

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the duration and long-term efficacy of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) combined with Ozurdex® (DEX) in the treatment of retinal vein occlusion with macular edema (RVO-ME).Methods This retrospective case study included 38 patients with non-ischemic RVO-ME who were initially treated by intravitreal injection of IVR combined with DEX. Patients with recurrence of macular edema continued with IVR+DEX therapy. Data were recorded for all patients at baseline and at 1 week, and 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 12 months after treatment. The primary outcome measures were the average reinjection interval and the number of injections. Results The mean interval for reinjection of RVO-ME was 134.2±9.1 days. The average number of injections was 4.2±1.1, and 65.8% of patients received 4 injections. There was no significant difference in mean reinjection interval and injection number between central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) patients. At the end of follow-up, the mean improvement of BCVA in CRVO and BRVO patients was 0.29±0.26 and 0.31±0.33, respectively, and 52.6% (20/38) patients experienced visual acuity improvement of > 3 lines. The average decrease in CFT was 406.0±272.3 μm and 408.2±379.9 μm, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two types of RVO-ME in BCVA improvement and CFT reduction (p=0.82 and 0.98). Conclusion Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab combined with Ozurdex® led to better efficacy, fewer injections, lower medical burden, and more controllable side effects.