AccScience Publishing / JCTR / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/JCTR025410071
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

The efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with ranibizumab in the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion

Yan Shi1 ,  Yimeng Ruan1 ,  Pengyao Lin1 ,  Manhua Shi2 ,  Bo Li1*
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1 Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
2 Department of Traditional Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
JCTR, 025410071 https://doi.org/10.36922/JCTR025410071
Received: 12 October 2025 | Revised: 10 December 2025 | Accepted: 19 January 2026 | Published online: 6 February 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Background: Macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO-ME) impairs vision. Intravitreal ranibizumab is commonly used, but the adjunctive value of acupuncture remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with intravitreal ranibizumab injection for RVO-ME. Methods: Patients with RVO-ME (n = 45) were randomized into a control group (ranibizumab monotherapy) and an acupuncture group (ranibizumab and acupuncture). Both groups received monthly intravitreal ranibizumab (0.5 mg/0.05 mL) for 3 months, with a total follow-up of 6 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), macular vessel density (MVD) of superficial vascular complex (SVC), and deep vascular complex (DVC), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, and safety outcomes were assessed. Results: At 3 and 6 months post-treatment, BCVA, CMT, SVC-MVD, and DVC-MVD improved significantly in both groups (p<0.05). The acupuncture group showed significant reductions in SVC-FAZ and DVC-FAZ at 6 months (p<0.05), whereas the control group showed no such changes. Between-group differences at 6 months were significant for BCVA, CMT, DVC-MVD, and DVC-FAZ (p<0.05), with DVC-MVD differing significantly at 3 months (p<0.05). Adverse events (subconjunctival hemorrhage, elevated intraocular pressure, subcutaneous hemorrhage) were mild and comparable between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with ranibizumab effectively reduces RVO-ME, improves the microvascular structure of the macula, and is safe and reliable, with no serious adverse reactions. Relevance for patients: Patients with vision loss from RVO-ME may benefit from this combined treatment, which improves visual acuity, reduces retinal edema, and supports better long-term macular health with a favorable safety profile.

Graphical abstract
Keywords
Acupuncture
Ranibizumab injection
Retinal vein occlusion
Macular edema
Optical coherence tomography angiography
Funding
This work was supported by The Zhejiang Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Plan (Award Number: 2023ZL647), The Zhejiang Province Medical and Health Science and Technology Plan (Award Number: 2024KY1496), and The Ningbo Public Welfare Research Project (Award Number: 2024S160).
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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Journal of Clinical and Translational Research, Electronic ISSN: 2424-810X Print ISSN: 2382-6533, Published by AccScience Publishing
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