The comparison of intravitreal triamcinolone and bevacizumab in patients with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) and intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in the treatment of macular edema related to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), using the new optical coherence tomography parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of 62 patients (IVTA n=26; IVB n=36) with macular edema secondary to BRVO and at least 12 months follow-up between 2007 and 2011 were evaluated by within-group and inter-group comparisons. RESULTS: Both groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics (P>0.05). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement and central subfoveal thickness (CST) reduction were significantly higher in the IVTA group at only the third month (P<0.05). In nonischemic BRVO, while BCVA improvement was significantly higher in the IVTA group at the third and sixth months (P<0.05), no significant difference was found in CST reduction at all visits (P>0.05). In ischemic BRVO, no significant difference was found in BCVA improvement at all visits, but CST reduction was significantly higher in the IVTA group at the first and third months. Logarithmic optical coherence tomography change (LogOCTc) and relative change in retinal thickness (RCRT) showed the same levels of significance in the comparisons. Relative change in retinal thickening (RCRTing) was more valuable compared to the other parameters in the subgroup analyses. CONCLUSION: There was no difference between groups at the 12th month. IVTA was more efficient than IVB in regard to BCVA improvement in nonischemic BRVO in the early follow-up. IVTA made significant retinal thinning compared to IVB in ischemic BRVO in the early period. RCRTing and LogOCTc are important parameters used to monitor the response to treatment in BRVO. Because of the similar levels of significance, RCRT and LogOCTc can be used interchangeably.