Intravitreal bevacizumab combined with grid photocoagulation in recurrent macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion

Purpose: To evaluate improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the reduction of central retinal thickness (CRT) in patients with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) after intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection combined with macular grid photocoagulation. Methods: A retrospective study of 54 consecutive eyes with macular edema associated with RVO. The BCVA and CRT, recorded with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, were evaluated at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment onset. Intravitreal bevacizumab injection was administered at baseline, and macular grid photocoagulation 15 days later. During follow-up, additional IVB, at 1-month intervals, was administered if persistent or recurrent macular edema was observed on optical coherence tomography. Results: Best-corrected visual acuity was improved and CRT was reduced at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. Compared with initial values, the final CRT was significantly reduced in patients with branch RVO (35 patients) and in patients with central RVO (19 patients) (p<0.05). Also, BCVA was significantly improved in both groups of patients (p<0.05). Conclusions: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection combined with macular grid photocoagulation reduces recurrent macular edema associated with branch RVO and central RVO