AIM:To investigate the efficacy of subthreshold micropulse 577nm laser photocoagulation with intravitreous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(anti-VEGF)treatment for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO).

METHODS: A retrospective case series study was sixteen patients(16 eyes)of macular edema secondary to BRVO whose course was not more than 3mo were examined by fundus fluoresceine angiography(FFA)and optical coherence tomography(OCT). Eight eyes were given subthreshold micropulse 577nm laser with anti-VEGF treatment(micropulse laser group). Meantime another 8 eyes were given conventional grid laser photocoagulation with anti-VEGF treatment(grid laser group). The followed up was 6mo. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and central foveal thickness(CFT)were analyzed.

RESULTS: The baseline BCVA of the micropulse laser group was 0.34±0.18(LogMAR)and was improved to 0.07±0.01(P<0.01)at last follow-up while the grid laser group was improved from 0.75±0.52(LogMAR)to 0.15±0.18(P<0.01). CFT of the micropulase laser group at baseline was 362.25±119.33μm and decreased to 232.25±56.56μm(P<0.01)at the last follow-up while the grid laser group was from 419.75±96.30μm decreased to 229.25±43.96μm(P<0.01). For both BCVA and CFT, there were no statistic differences between the two groups(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Subthreshold micropulse 577nm laser with anti-VEGF and conventional grid laser photocoagulation with anti-VEGF had equivalent effects on the treatment of macular edema secondary to BRVO.