Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab combined with macular grid laser photocoagulation for macular edema in branch retinal vein occlusion

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of combined therapy of intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (IVB) and additional macular grid laser photocoagulation for recurrent macular edema in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Methods: This was a retrospective interventional case series in which 44 eyes of 44 patients with macular edema due to BRVO were studied. The mean follow-up term was 77.2 ± 12.4 weeks. All patients underwent IVB as a primary therapy. After two to three IVB, 19 of the 44 eyes (43.2%) underwent laser photocoagulation in the macular edema area to prevent the recurrence of the edema. In the other 25 eyes (56.8%), macular edema was successfully treated with IVB only. Visual acuity and central macular thickness (CMT) were examined during the follow-up. Results: The mean visual acuity and the mean CMT in both groups improved significantly after the IVB. Following macular grid laser photocoagulation for recurrent macular edema, the mean visual acuity was maintained for 24 weeks, however, the mean CMT increased significantly after 12 weeks. Conclusions: Additional grid laser photocoagulation for recurrent macular edema in BRVO after IVB maintained mean visual acuity with limited effects on the further recurrence of macular edema.