Peiyu Xing,1,* Yucheng Zhang,2,* Yong Zhang,1 Shaowei Wang,2 Xiaojia Hu,1 Meihua Wang,1 Fan Xia,1 Yang Zhao,1 Wei Qu,2 Bo Meng2 

1Department of Ophthalmology, China Medical University the Fourth People’s Hospital of Shenyang, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Ophthalmology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Bo Meng, Department of Ophthalmology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China, Email m18204507737@163.com

Purpose: The objective of this research was to assess the effectiveness and safety of using Conbercept injection and dexamethasone implant (DEX I) in sequence for treating refractory macular edema (ME) caused by central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in patients.
Methods: A study was conducted on 34 patients with persistent macular edema caused by central retinal vein occlusion, reviewing their medical history and interventions performed. Sequential implantation of DEX I was performed 1 week after the Conbercept injection. OCTA images were used to measure central retinal thickness (CRT), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and pre- and post-treatment vessel density of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), with a 1-year follow-up period.
Results: At the 12-month follow-up, participants demonstrated notable improvements in central retinal thickness and intraocular pressure (p < 0.05). Throughout the monitoring period, no significant differences were found in BCVA improvement or vessel density reduction (p > 0.05). Two patients required topical treatment to lower their intraocular pressure during the study period.
Conclusion: In conclusion, patients experiencing persistent ME due to secondary CRVO may benefit from transitioning to a treatment regimen involving Conbercept and DEX I, potentially resulting in a reduction in CRT. However, no significant improvement was observed in BCVA or deep and superficial capillary plexus vessel density.

Keywords: macular edema, sequential, central retinal thickness, best corrected visual acuity