AIM: To explore the effect of vitreous macular adhesion(VMA)on the efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO).

METHODS: Retrospective case study. According to initially diagnosed OCT characteristics, 110 patients(110 eyes), selected from those who received intravitreal injection of Conbercept in the ophthalmology department of our hospital from January 2017 to May 2019,were divided into VMA-present group(VMA+ group, 34 eyes)and VMA-free group(VMA- group, 76 eyes). After the first injection, at least 6mo follow-up was ensured, to record the number of injection and to examine the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and central macular thickness(CMT). And it's via the OCT reports to evaluate status of the vitreous macular adhesion and the occurrence of posterior vitreous detachment(PVD).

RESULTS: During the 6mo follow-up after the first injection, there was no difference in the average number of intravitreal injections between patients in VMA+ group and VMA- group(2.91±1.05 times vs 3.08±1.22 times, P=0.915). At the 6mo after the first injection, BCVA and CMT were significantly improved in both groups, and BCVA gain in VMA+ group was more obvious than that in VMA- group \〖-0.20(-0.33, -0.10)LogMAR vs -0.20(-0.30, -0.10), P=0.041\〗, but there was no difference in CMT changes between the two groups(P=0.914). During this follow-up period, in the VMA+ group, 3 eyes, which were focal VMA at baseline, all developed into macular PVD(100.0%); and 5 of 31 eyes, which were extensive VMA at baseline, developed into macular PVD(16.1%). Compared with the extensive VMA, PVD was more likely to develop into focal VMA(P=0.009).

CONCLUSION: BRVO patients combined with VMA have greater potentiality in visual improvements under anti-VEGF treatments. Therefore, the presence of VMA does not prevent BRVO patients from receiving anti-VEGF therapy.