Changes in visual acuity after intravitreal ranibizumab injections in patients with ischemic and non‐ischemic central retinal vein occlusion

Purpose To evaluate changes in visual acuity after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (0.5 mg) in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods In a retrospective study, 25 consecutive patients (25 eyes) where included, 15 eyes with ischemic CRVO and 10 eyes with non-ischemic CRVO. Ophthalmic examination included decimal best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and OCT at presentation and follow-up visits. Changes on BCVA after treatment, in a period of follow up from 3 to 24 months, were evaluated. SPSS18 was used for statistical analysis. Results In ischemic CRVO group, patients’ mean age was 70.53 years. BCVA at presentation was 0.025 +/- 0.034 (mean +/-SD), and BCVA at the last follow up was 0.072 +/- 0.13. The number of intravitreal injections performed was 3.07 +/- 2.12. In non-ischemic CRVO group patients΄mean age was 69.60 years. BCVA at presentation was 0.33 +/- 0.22, and BCVA at the last follow up was 0.60 +/- 0.24. The number of intravitreal injections performed was 2.7+/- 1.2. In ischemic CRVO group there was no statistically significant improvement in visual acuity (0.046 +/- 0.13, paired t-test p=0,186), whereas in non-ischemic CRVO group the BCVA after treatment improved significantly (0.27 +/- 0.23 paired t-test p=0,006). Conclusion Intravitreal ranibizumab injections in patients with CRVO may result in a significant improvement of BCVA in patients with non-ischemic CRVO. Future prospective studies and a larger number of patients are needed to verify these results.