Management of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusions

Retinal vein occlusions are the second most common type of retinal vascular disease and include branch vein occlusions, hemiretinal vein occlusions and central vein occlusions; in most patients, macular edema is the predominant cause of vision loss. Until recently, laser photocoagulation was the only treatment for edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion supported by data from high-quality randomized trials; data are now also available from several trials assessing the use of intraocular glucocorticoids and agents inhibiting VEGF. As data from randomized clinical trials accumulate, a precise role for each of these therapies may become clearer.