To evaluate clinical outcomes of a combined therapy of intravitreal bevacizumab and grid laser photocoagulation for macular edema in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

In the present retrospective study, medical records of patients who were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab injection for macular edema due to BRVO were reviewed. The eyes were divided into 2 groups, the combined therapy group of intravitreal bevacizumab and grid laser photocoagulation, and the monotherapy group of intravitreal bevacizumab. Visual acuity and central subfield macular thickness were investigated at 1, 2 and 6 months. Recurrence rate was compared between the 2 groups.

Among 49 eyes, 18 eyes underwent macular grid photocoagulation and 31 eyes did not receive laser treatment. Laser photocoagulation was performed at 1.2 months after injection on average. Visual acuity improved significantly at 2 and 6 months in the combined therapy group, and at 1, 2 and 6 months in the monotherapy group. Macular thickness decreased significantly compared to baseline at all visits in both groups. There was no significant difference in visual acuity and foveal thickness between the 2 groups. Recurrence at 6 months was significantly less frequent in the combined therapy group (3 eyes, 17%) then in the monotherapy group (14 eyes, 45%, p = 0.046).

Combined grid photocoagulation after intravitreal bevacizumab injection lowered the recurrence rate of macular edema complicated with BRVO.