title: Intravitreal steroid and anti-vascular endothelial growth agents for the management of retinal vein occlusion: evidence from randomized trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a common retinal vascular disorder, affecting visual acuity and quality of life. Macular edema (ME) and retinal ischemia are the main causes for visual impairment in RVO. Although several modalities have been evaluated for the treatment of ME secondary to RVO in clinical trials, various questions need to be clarified when translating clinical trials into real-world practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intravitreal steroids and anti-VEGF agents are now widely used for the treatment of ME due to RVO. Herein, evidence from randomized controlled trials regarding the use of steroids and anti-VEGF agents in ME related to RVO are presented. In addition, an approach regarding the optimal treatment regimen, the most suitable time for initiating treatment and monitoring patients, as well as the potential role of ischemia in the response to treatment and the impact of treatment on the natural course of the disease was made.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A comprehensive presentation of randomized clinical trials evaluating intravitreal steroids and anti-VEGF treatment for RVO indicates that both are effective and safe. However, the comparative effectiveness of the various anti-VEGF agents, the most suitable dosing regimen and the effect of these agents on retinal ischemia remains unclear.
authors.affiliation: a 1 King's College Hospital, Laser and Retina Research Unit , London, UK.|b 2 Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHIR Moorfields Biomedical Research Center , Flat 7, 124 Belgrave Road, SW1V 2BL, London, UK +44 306 973 046 326 ; +44 7 553 069 404 ; eirchat@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Irini
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chatziralli
authors.affiliation: b 2 Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHIR Moorfields Biomedical Research Center , Flat 7, 124 Belgrave Road, SW1V 2BL, London, UK +44 306 973 046 326 ; +44 7 553 069 404 ; eirchat@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.affiliation: a 1 King's College Hospital, Laser and Retina Research Unit , London, UK.|b 2 Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHIR Moorfields Biomedical Research Center , Flat 7, 124 Belgrave Road, SW1V 2BL, London, UK +44 306 973 046 326 ; +44 7 553 069 404 ; eirchat@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Sobha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sivaprasad
authors.affiliation: b 2 Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHIR Moorfields Biomedical Research Center , Flat 7, 124 Belgrave Road, SW1V 2BL, London, UK +44 306 973 046 326 ; +44 7 553 069 404 ; eirchat@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hykin
mesh_terms: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000068258:Bevacizumab / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019468:Disease Management; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D000069579:Ranibizumab / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D013256:Steroids; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab
keywords: aflibercept; anti-VEGF; bevacizumab; ischemia; ranibizumab; retinal vein occlusion; steroids