Macular hole formation following intravitreal injection of ranibizumab for branch retinal vein occlusion: a case report

BACKGROUND: Macular hole formation after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy is a rare complication. We report macular hole formation after intravitreal ranibizumab injection for branch retinal vein occlusion. CASE PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old Asian male was treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injection for chronic macular edema with branch retinal vein occlusion in his right eye. Before treatment, best-corrected visual acuity in his right eye was 20/200. Nine days after injection, a full thickness macular hole developed with reduction of macular edema. After pars plana vitrectomy combined with cataract surgery, the macular hole was successfully closed, and the best-corrected visual acuity in his right eye improved to 20/40. CONCLUSION: The possibility of an infrequent complication like macular hole should be considered for intravitreal ranibizumab for macular edema with branch retinal vein occlusion.