AIM: To investigate the curative effect of Shuxuetong injection combined with intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and laser photocoagulation in the treatment of macular edema(ME)secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO).

METHODS: Totally 70 patients(70 affected eyes)with ME secondary to BRVO treated from January 2015 to December 2016 were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group by random number table method, 35 patients(35 affected eyes)in each group. The control group were treated by intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and laser photocoagulation, and on the basis, the observation group were treated with Shuxuetong injection. The clinical curative effect and complications were compared between the two groups. At 1wk, 1 and 3mo after treatment, the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and central retinal thickness(CRT)were checked again.

RESULTS: The total effective rate of treatment in the observation group was slightly higher than that in the control group(91% vs 80%; P>0.05)while the markedly effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group(43% vs 20%; P<0.05). At 1wk, 1 and 3mo after treatment, BCVA and CMT in the two groups decreased(P<0.05), and they were lower in the observation group than the control group at the same time point(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The treatment of ME secondary to BRVO with Shuxuetong injection combined with intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and laser photocoagulation can effectively reduce CRT and improve visual acuity, with high safety.