SHORT-TERM EFFECT OF INTRAVITREAL RANIBIZUMAB THERAPY ON MACULAR EDEMA AFTER BRANCH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION.

PURPOSE: To assess the short-term effect of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) on macular edema after branch retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: Twenty-three eyes with macular edema after branch retinal vein occlusion were enrolled in a prospective observational study. After administering one IVR injection (0.5 mg) for the first time, the authors measured the foveal thickness (FT) before and 2 hours, 1 and 3 days, 1 week, and 1 month later and the best-corrected visual acuity at all times except 2 hours, and determined the changes from baseline (ΔFT and ΔVA). RESULTS: The mean FT decreased significantly (P < 0.0001) from 522 ± 131 µm to 458 ± 96 µm after 2 hours. The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity improved significantly (P < 0.05) after 1 day from 0.69 ± 0.40 to 0.55 ± 0.34 (20/98-20/70, Snellen equivalent). The ΔFT after 2 hours was significantly positively correlated with the ΔFT after 1 week (r = 0.76, P < 0.001) and 1 month (r = 0.67, P < 0.001). The ΔVA after 1 day was correlated positively with the ΔVA after 1 week (r = 0.80, P < 0.001) and 1 month (r = 0.59, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Structural and functional effects of IVR for branch retinal vein occlusion occurred within 1 day. The short-term effects of IVR may predict the outcome of the therapy at 1 week and 1 month after IVR in macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion.