Comparison of the efficacy and safety of drug therapies for macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents and corticosteroids for the treatment of macular edema (ME) secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Design: Systematic review and network meta-analysis. Participants: Patients from previously reported randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing anti-VEGF and corticosteroids for the treatment of ME secondary to CRVO. Methods: Literature searches were conducted using PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov until March 2017. Therapeutic effects were estimated using the proportions of patients gaining/losing ≥15 letters, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and central retinal thickness (CRT). Treatment safety was estimated using the proportions of adverse events, namely increased intraocular pressure (IOP), cataracts, vitreous hemorrhage (VH), and retinal tear. The software ADDIS (version 1.16.8) was used for analysis. Treatment effect and safety ...