Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the second most common retinal vascular disorder after diabetic retinopathy. [Blair.2020] [Cochran.2020] RVO commonly leads to vision loss in older patients; its two subtypes are branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). [Blair.2020] For BRVO, treatment is primarily aimed at preventing the complications that cause vision loss, such as macular edema and neovascularization. [Cochran.2020] In CRVO, elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) leads to neovascularization. [Blair.2020] In both types, treatment often involves intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents.
In 2010, ranibizumab became the first anti-VEGF agent approved by the FDA for this indication, followed by aflibercept in 2014. [Sophie.2013] [EYLEA.PI.2019] To date, bevacizumab is not approved to treat RVO, but remains used off-label for this indication. Intravitreal dexamethasone 0.7 mg is the only corticosteroid currently approved to treat RVO. This section lists the most relevant clinical studies on BRVO, with the most relevant clinical studies on CRVO following.