AIM:To evaluate the changes of macular retinal vessel density after the first intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)injection for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion.

METHODS: A retrospective case control series, 23 cases with RVO secondary macular edema were included from April 2018 to July 2018. They were treated with 0.5mg/0.05mL intravitreal injection of conbercept. To compare the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)before and after treatment. Optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)images was obtained, central macular thickness(CMT)and vessel length density and perfusion density in the superficial retinal capillary plexus were measured before and after intravitreal injection.

RESULTS: The mean interval between baseline and follow up was 1mo. The improvement of BCVA, the decreased value of average central macular thickness after treatment were better than before(P<0.05). The vessel length density and perfusion density at the central, inner and full region in the superficial retinal capillary plexus was not significantly different after intravitreal injection(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The average BCVA and the mean CMT of patients with RVO secondary macular edema after treatment was significantly better, and it is not progressive macular ischemia in the short-term after a single intravitreal injection of an anti-VEGF agent.