A Study on the Effectiveness of Combining Ranibizumab and Dexamethasone Implants for Treating Macular Edema in Retinal Vein Occlusion and Diabetic Eye Disease

Background Macular edema (ME), a leading cause of vision impairment, is common in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and diabetic macular edema (DME). This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of combining ranibizumab, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agent, with dexamethasone implants for treating ME secondary to RVO and DME. Methods This retrospective study involved 61 patients diagnosed with ME secondary to RVO (n = 48) or DME (n = 13) treated at Ningbo Ophthalmology Hospital, China. All patients received intravitreal injections of ranibizumab and dexamethasone implants, with outcomes measured at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment. Primary outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) levels, and intraocular pressure (IOP). Results Both RVO and DME groups showed significant improvement in BCVA, with the DME group demonstrating more sustained benefits. CRT decreased significantly at 1 month post-treatment and remained lower than baseline at 3 and 6 months. Although VEGF and ICAM-1 levels showed reductions post-treatment, these changes were not statistically significant. IOP increased at 1 month but returned to baseline by 3 months and remained stable. Conclusions Combining ranibizumab with dexamethasone implants effectively reduces ME and improves visual outcomes in RVO and DME patients, with a manageable safety profile. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and refine long-term treatment protocols.