Ranibizumab and retinal photocoagulation in the treatment of ischemic retinal vein occlusion

Introduction. This investigation was focused on the post-RVO (retinal vein occlusion) macular edema treatment in cases with peripheral retinal ischemia, and on methods to estimate the ischemic area. Aim. To develop an examination and treatment algorithm for patients with chronic macular edema due to ischemic RVO. Material and methods. A prospective non-randomized study included 250 patients with RVO, the mean follow-up was 24.5 ± 6.5 months. Results. The drop-out of retinal capillary perfusion was detected in 175 patients (70 %). Peripheral ischemia was found in 125 cases, that is in 50% of all RVO patients and 71.4 % of all patients with ischemia. The mean number of ranibizumab injections performed after retinal photocoagulation was 2.9 ± 1.4. Patients treated with ranibizumab monotherapy for 24 months received 10.6 ± 2.5 intravitreal injections. Conclusions. The combination of ranibizumab intravitreal injections with retinal photocoagulation in the capillary non-perfusion areas can significantly reduce the number of injections and reduce the amount of neovascular complications.