Original Article Comparison of Injection of Intravitreal Drugs with Standard Care in Macular Edema Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Purpose: To compare the long-term efficacy and safety of intravitreal triamcinolon with or without rescue laser therapy (intravitreal triamcinolone injection [IVTA] group), bevacizumab with or without rescue laser treatment (intravitreal bevacizumab injection [IVB] group), or a combination of both with or without rescue laser therapy (IVTA + IVB group), with standard care for patients with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein oc-clusion (BRVO). Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 151 patients treated with intravitreal injection with or without res-cue laser for treatment of macular edema caused by BRVO, and who were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. During the observation period, rescue grid laser or repeated intravitreal injection with initial drug was performed if recurrence of macular edema was confirmed. Visual acuity, change in visual acuity, and intraocu-lar pressure were compared in each phase. Results: Totals of 16%, 5.6%, and 0 % of participants in the three groups showed significant visual loss of more than three lines of the Snellen chart at last follow-up. The IVTA group was the least effective treatment modali-ty, with statistical significance. The development rates of elevated intraocular pressure were similar among the groups. Conclusions: Although IVTA yielded effects similar to those of standard grid photocoagulation based on th