A meta-analysis of patients with treatment-resistant macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusions following switching to aflibercept

To systematically review anatomical and functional outcomes of switching therapy from bevacizumab and/or ranibizumab to aflibercept in patients with persistent macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusions (RVO). A systematic search of aflibercept for the treatment of persistent macular oedema secondary to branch and central RVO was performed in EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane databases prior to June 2017. The main outcome variables described were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT). All results were analysed and pooled using random-effects models with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Eight studies met the inclusion criteria with a total of 137 eyes, incorporating both branch and central RVO. Meta-analysis demonstrated a nonsignificant change in BCVA at 6 and 12 months following switch to aflibercept (4.40 letters, 95% CI: -3.10 to 11.90, p = 0.25 and 3.10 letters, 95% CI: -1.74 to 7.94, p = 0.21, respectively). Significant improvement in mean CMT was observed after switch to aflibercept at 6 (-256.00 mu m, 95% CI: -318.00 to -194.00, p < 0.001) but not 12 months (-118.00 mu m, 95% CI: -261.00 to 25.00, p = 0.11). Switching from bevacizumab/ranibizumab to aflibercept may improve persistent macular oedema secondary to RVO. However, there may be a limitation in the potential of visual recovery.