AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravitreal conbercept and ranibizumab in the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion(RVO-ME)in order to provide basis for clinical guidance.

METHODS: The Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI, Wanfang data, and VIP database were comprehensively searched for studies comparing conbercept versus ranibizumab in patients with RVO-ME. Best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central macular thickness(CMT), intraocular pressure(IOP), mean number of intravitreal injections and adverse events were extracted from the final eligible studies. RevMan 5.3 software was used for relevant index data analysis. Random and fixed effect models were employed to evaluate heterogeneity and the publication bias.

RESULTS: A total of 14 randomized controlled trial(RCT)studies, involving 1 350 eyes. There was no significant difference in BCVA improved between the two groups after treatment 2wk, 2mo, 3mo and 6mo, but there was significant difference in BCVA improved after treatment 1wk [WMD=-0.03; 95% CI(-0.05, -0.02); P<0.0001] and 1mo [WMD=-0.03; 95% CI(-0.04, -0.01); P=0.001]. The conbercept treatment group had higher CMT reduction compared with ranibizumab treatment group after 6mo treatment, and there was a significant difference [WMD=-28.77; 95% CI(-54.23, -3.31); P=0.03], and there were no significant difference between two groups in others period of time. There were no significant difference in intraocular pressure(IOP)and adverse events between the two groups [OR=0.95; 95% CI(0.57, 1.57); P=0.84]. However, the use of conbercept had a fewer mean number of injections.

CONCLUSION: CMT and BCVA were improved significantly both in the conbercept and ranibizumab groups. Compared with ranibizumab, conbercept group did not have greater improved BCVA, but with a more CMT reduction after 6mo. The advantage of conbercept is fewer injections and maybe it is better for treatment of RVO-ME.