Efficacy of as-needed intravitreal injection compared to 3-monthly loading of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents for branch retinal vein occlusion.

We investigated the efficacy of intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, were searched on November 11, 2022. Studies comparing the pro-re-nata (PRN) regimen after the first treatment (PRN group) to three consecutive monthly injection regimens followed by the PRN regimen (3 + PRN group) were investigated. The primary outcomes were the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the change in central retinal thickness (CRT), with the secondary outcome being the injection frequency. Among 195 reports on anti-VEGF treatment, six comparative studies were included in this meta-analysis. The two groups had no statistically significant differences in terms of BCVA or CRT. However, the total number of injections during follow-up was significantly lower in the PRN group than in the 3 + PRN group (95% CI - 2.09 to - 0.83). The as-needed injection regimen is as effective as 3-monthly loading in terms of anatomical and functional improvement for BRVO, along with a lower treatment burden for patients and physicians.

Surgical Outcomes of Vitrectomy for Primary Treatment of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical results of vitrectomy alone as the primary treatment for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODS: The medical records of patients with AD treated for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) were retrospectively reviewed. We investigated the characteristics of retinal breaks and detachments, applied surgical methods, and results. RESULTS: Twenty eyes of 14 patients with AD who presented with rhegmatogenous RD and treated by vitrectomy were included in this analysis. Sixteen eyes (80%) were treated with vitrectomy, either alone or in combination with cataract surgery, and the retina was successfully attached to 94% of the eyes. There were four cases in which vitrectomy was combined with encircling. Reoperation was needed in half of the eyes that received vitrectomy with encircling, which presented nearly total detachment, severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and pseudophakia. CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy alone, in combination with cataract surgery, may be sufficient to treat rhegmatogenous RD in patients with AD. Additional encircling or buckling should still be considered in complicated cases.