Intravitreal Steroid and Anti-VEGF in Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion.

AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combined intravitreal steroid and anti-VEGF treatment in patients with retinal vein occlusion at an  ophthalmological referral center in Colombia.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

This is an analytical, longitudinal study of patients with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion, who underwent treatment of combined intravitreal steroid and Anti-VEGF therapy at the Ophthalmology Department's  Retina and Vitreous Unit, collected from an anonymized database.

RESULTS

The study included 39 eyes from an anonymized secondary source, from January 2016 to December 2024. After an average follow-up of 18.7 months, a significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (from 1.22 to 0.93 LogMAR, p = 0.01) and a statistically significant reduction in central macular thickness (CMT) (from 567.5 to 236 μm, p = 0.01) were observed, with 76.9% of patients achieving a CMT < 300 μm. Intraocular pressure remained stable (15.18 vs. 15.69 mmHg). Most patients received Bevacizumab (64%) and Triamcinolone (66%), and 67% required intravitreal reinjections. The central retinal vein occlusion group showed visual improvement and a decrease in CMT, although 24% experienced complications, mainly elevated intraocular pressure and cataract progression. The superotemporal vein occlusion and inferotemporal vein occlusion groups also showed visual improvement and a reduction in CMT, with few complications.

CONCLUSION

Combination therapy was effective in improving visual function and reducing macular edema in different types of retinal vein occlusion.

KEY WORDS: retinal vein occlusion, macular edema, intravitreal injections, Ranibizumab, Aflibercept, Bevacizumab, Triamcinolone, Dexamethasone.