Twenty-four-month results of intravitreal aflibercept for macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion

Purpose To investigate 24-month results of intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) for macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO-ME). Study design Retrospective study. Methods Subjects were treatment-naive BRVO-ME patients at the Ophthalmology Department of Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital from November 2015 to March 2017 who received IVA treatment for 24 months. After the first injection, reinjection was performed as needed when ME had recurred or was prolonged beyond 300 mu m. Data included changes in best corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness, total number of injections, and the case background factors that required reinjection after 12 months. ME remission was defined as patients without additional injections for 6 months. Results Forty eyes of 40 patients (64.5 +/- 11.5 years), 21 men and 19 women, were included. Average best corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness at baseline were logMAR 0.42 +/- 0.21, 601.4 +/- 181.3 mu m, logMAR 0.08 +/- 0.25, 214.6 +/- 62.7 mu m at 12 months, logMAR 0.02 +/- 0.16, 216.6 +/- 97.8 mu m at 24 months, all significantly improved from baseline. The average number of injections was 2.2 +/- 1.0 times in the first year and 0.4 +/- 0.8 times in the second year. The rate of ME remission was 60.0% at 12 months and 87.5% at 24 months. Period between onset and injections was significantly associated with reinjection after 12 months (p =.030). Conclusions IVA was effective over 24 months for ME due to BRVO in many cases. Early injection treatment may reduce the need for later injections.

Automated summary

The 24-month study on the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) for macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO-ME) showed significant improvements in visual acuity and central foveal thickness, with a decrease in injection frequency over time and an increase in ME remission rate. The onset period of the disease was found to be significantly associated with the need for reinjection after 12 months.