AIM: To study the clinical effects and safety of iontophoresis of xueshuantong injection combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in the treatment of retinal vein occlusion(RVO)with macular edema(ME).

METHODS: Totally 106 patients(106 eyes)with RVO and ME in the hospital between June 2017 and June 2019 were divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table method with 53 cases(53 eyes)in each group, and they were all given intravitreal injection of conbercept, and observation group was additionally given iontophoresis of Xueshuantong injection for intervention, and they were treated for 3mo. Both groups were followed up for 1a and given supplementary therapy according to the condition of the disease. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central retinal thickness(CRT)in macular area, supplementary therapy status, VEGF level in aqueous humor and adverse drug reactions were observed and compared between the two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTS: After treatment, the BCVA of the two groups was significantly improved(P<0.05)while the CRT in macular area was significantly thinned(P<0.05), and the BCVA on the 3, 6 and 12mo of treatment in observation group was better than that in control group while the CRT was thinner than that in control group(P<0.05). The macular volume and VEGF level in aqueous humor were significantly reduced in the two groups after treatment(P<0.05), and the macular volume and VEGF level on the 1, 3, 6 and 12mo of treatment in observation group were lower than those in control group(P<0.05). The injection frequencies of conbercept and triamcinolone acetonide and the proportion of patients with laser photocoagulation in observation group were lower than those in control group(P<0.05). During treatment, there was 1 eye of intraocular pressure increase and 3 eyes of subconjunctival hemorrhage in observation group, and there were 2 eyes of subconjunctival hemorrhage and 1 eye of endophthalmitis in control group(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Xueshuantong iontophoresis combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept for RVO with ME can effectively inhibit the expression of VEGF, reduce the ME and improve the visual acuity of the affected eyes. The efficacy and safety are worthy of recognition.