Dramatic Resolution of Recalcitrant Cystoid Macular Edema after Concurrent Intravitreal Injection of Bevacizumab and Triamcinolone

Cystoid macular edema (CME), a common complication of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), is associated with a significant vision loss. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy is the gold standard of treatment, while grid macular photocoagulation has also been used as an adjuvant in patients with CME secondary to BRVO. More recent efforts were successful by the use of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. We proposed a concurrent use of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide and intravitreal bevacizumab in the treatment of CME secondary to BRVO.

We described an 82-year-old female with a BRVO in the right eye who developed associated CME. Repeated injections of intravitreal bevacizumab and modified grid macular laser treatment were ineffective. A concurrent treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone acetonide resulted in complete and dramatic resolution of CME with a favorable visual outcome. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) demonstrated a significant decrease in central subfield thickness (CST) from 764μm to 253μm, without any post-procedure complications or recurrence of macular edema with complete recovery of visual acuity at 6-month follow-up.

Early concurrent treatment with intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy (e.g. intravitreal bevacizumab) and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide is likely to be more effective than intravitreal anti-VEGF agents alone or grid macular photocoagulation in the management of CME associated with BRVO.