AIM:To observe the efficacy and safety of intravitreal injection of Ranibizumab in the treatment of macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion(CRVO).

METHODS: According to the standard, 24 patients with macular edema secondary to CRVO were double-blind randomized to group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ. They were aged 30～70 years old, average(51.58±10.32)years. Patients of group Ⅰ were treated with intravitreal injection of 0.5mg ranibizumab monthly for the first three months and given compound thrombosis capsule. Compared with group Ⅰ, patients of group Ⅱ were only given compound thrombosis capsule. Subjects of two groups use PRN(Pro re nata)therapy with ranibizumab from the third month. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and central retinal thickness(CRT)before the treatment(P>0.05). BCVA, CRT, laboratory results and ocular and systemic adverse reactions of the two groups during treatment were conducted and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: BCVA of group Ⅰ was 52.67±1.78 before treatment, and BCVA were respectively 63.67±1.61, 66.25±1.60, 69.58±1.68, 70.75±5.22, 65.58±4.34, 68.92±3.4, 70.17±3.7 at 1wk, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12mo after treatment with significant difference compared with before injections(P<0.05). CRT of group Ⅰ was 539.00±10.94μm before the treatment, and that were respectively 326.67±20.83, 264.58±17.11, 232.00±13.04, 231.25±78.68, 316.00±172.48, 218.00±105.25, 220.58±33.43μm at 1wk, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12mo after treatment with significant difference compared with before injections(P<0.05). BCVA of group Ⅱ was 52.25±2.83 and CRT was 539.92±12.21μm, BCVA of group Ⅱ was 57.08±3.12μm 3mo after treatment and significant difference was found compared with group Ⅰ 3mo after treatment(P<0.05). CRT of group Ⅱ was 497.92±11.91μm 3mo after treatment and significant difference was found compared with group Ⅰ 3mo after treatment(P<0.05). Ocular and systemic obviously adverse reactions were not found during treatment.

CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab contributes to relieving macular edema, improving visual acuity and reducing fluorescence leakage of macular area in short-term. But patients need repeated injection. Ranibizumab is effectiveness and safety in the treatment of macular secondary to CRVO.