Aflibercept Versus Bevacizumab and/or Ranibizumab for Recurrent Macular Edema Secondary to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion.

PURPOSE

To compare functional and anatomic outcomes of treatment with intravitreal aflibercept versus bevacizumab and/or ranibizumab in patients with recurrent macular edema (ME) secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

METHODS

Retrospective, comparative case series of patients with recurrent ME in the setting of CRVO. Patients with recurrent ME received treatment with aflibercept (Group 1, G1) or bevacizumab and/or ranibizumab (Group 2, G2). Primary outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT).

RESULTS

Of the 20 eyes (20 patients) with recurrent ME included in the study, 9 received aflibercept (G1) and 11 received bevacizumab and/or ranibizumab (G2). Median BCVA at recurrence of ME and at most recent follow-up was 20/60 (G1) and 20/80 (G2) and 20/40 (G1) and 20/50 (G2, P > 0.05 for all comparisons), respectively. Median CFT at recurrence of ME and at most recent follow-up was 492 μm (G1) and 448 μm (G2) and 291 μm (G1) and 295 μm (G2, P > 0.05 for all comparisons), respectively. Complete resolution of ME for at least 4 months was found in 78% (G1) and 55% (G2) of patients with a median injection free interval of 11 (G1) and 13 (G2) months (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with recurrent ME secondary to CRVO, there was improvement in BCVA and CFT in all groups, although patients treated with aflibercept showed a trend toward better anatomical outcomes decreased need for recurrent injections.