One-year results of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy combined with triamcinolone acetonide for macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion

Purpose To compare anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) monotherapy with anti-VEGF therapy combined with sub-Tenon’s capsule injections of triamcinolone acetonide (STTA) in patients with macular edema (ME) associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Study design Retrospective observational study Methods This study included 186 eyes: 138 eyes received intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR), and the remaining 48 eyes received IVR combined with STTA therapy. If additional IVR were necessary, STTA were performed simultaneously. Results Both groups showed a rapid reduction in ME. The changes in logMAR visual acuity (VA) from baseline to 12 months were − 0.26 ± 0.26 in the IVR and − 0.20 ± 0.26 in the IVR with STTA groups ( P = 0.209). The changes in mean central foveal thickness from baseline to 12 months were − 226.9 ± 208.2 µm in the IVR and − 236.0 ± 214.0 µm in the IVR with STTA groups ( P = 0.798). The required number of IVR was 3.4 ± 1.9 in the IVR group, and 3.4 ± 1.6 in the IVR and STTA group ( P = 0.950). There were no significant differences in any parameters between the two groups. Conclusion There were no clear differences between combination therapy of anti-VEGF with STTA and anti-VEGF monotherapy for the treatment of patients with ME associated with BRVO. The number of anti-VEGF injections in patients who received the combination therapy was not reduced as compared with the number of anti-VEGF injections in patients who received the monotherapy.