AIM: To compare the therapeutic effects of intravitreal implantation of dexamethasone and ranibizumab in the treatment of retinal vein occlusion(RVO).

METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 40 patients with ROV were selected, and they were randomly divided into 2 groups according to different treatment. Patients in group A were treated with intravitreal implantation of dexamethasone, while patients in group B were treated with intravitreal injection of ranibizumab. Intraocular pressure, central macular thickness(CMT), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), superficial vascular complex(SVC)layer, dorsal vasculature complex(DVC)layer, macular vascular density(MVD)of choroid layer and choroidal capillary layer and foveal avascular area(FAZ)of the patients in both groups were measured and compared before and after treatment. Recurrence and adverse reactions were recorded.

RESULTS: After treatment for 12mo, the BCVA and CMT of the 2 groups were significantly improved(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups(P>0.05). After treatment, there was no significant difference in MVD of SVC layer, choroid layer or choroidal capillary layer between the 2 groups(P>0.05), but the MVD of DVC layer in group A was significantly greater than that in group B(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in superficial and deep FAZ areas between the two groups before and after treatment(P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence rates of subconjunctival hemorrhage and foreign body sensation between the 2 groups(P>0.05), but the incidence of intraocular hypertension in group A was significantly higher than that in group B(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate of macular edema(ME)between the two groups(P>0.05), but the average recurrence time of group A was significantly longer than that of group B(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Intravitreal implantation of dexamethasone can better increase the MVD of DVC layer and maintain the effect for a longer time than the intravitreal injection of ranibizumab, but there is a higher risk of intraocular hypertension and other adverse reactions.