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2026, Vol: 10, Issue: 9
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Review Article
Online Published: 02 Sep 2026
 


Switching to faricimab in anti-VEGF refractory macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Meaad Ahmed Alshamrani, Abdulrhman A. Almazrou, Jana Ahmed Alshehri, Jana Nasser Alasmari, Leen Saleh Al-wagdani, Nujud Hameed Alrashidi, Remas Yousef Hakami, Ruba Hassan Alharthi, Wasan Abdullah Alahmad, Weaam Ibrahim Alazwari.


Abstract
Macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) remains a major cause of visual impairment, and some patients show incomplete response despite repeated anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. Faricimab, through dual inhibition of VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2, may provide an alternative option for refractory cases. Systematic searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were conducted from inception to May 2026. Eligible studies assessed faricimab switching in anti-VEGF-refractory RVO-related macular edema. Seven studies underwent qualitative synthesis, and six independent cohorts were meta-analyzed using random-effects models. Heterogeneity for primary outcomes was assessed using I² statistics and heterogeneity p-values. Seven studies were included qualitatively, while six independent cohorts were included in the main quantitative synthesis after excluding a potentially overlapping Hafner cohort, comprising 183 patients and 184 eyes. Switching to faricimab was associated with a significant reduction in retinal thickness, with a pooled mean change of −120.266 µm. Best-corrected visual acuity also improved significantly, with a pooled mean change of −0.116 logMAR. Complete fluid resolution was achieved in 57.1% of eyes, while post-treatment intraretinal fluid persisted in 38.3% of eyes. Switching to faricimab might provide meaningful anatomical and functional benefits in patients with anti-VEGF-refractory RVO-related macular edema. Although the findings are encouraging, the evidence was mainly based on small real-world studies with short follow-up. Larger prospective trials are required to confirm long-term efficacy, safety, and optimal switching strategies.

Key words: Faricimab, retinal vein occlusion, macular edema, anti-VEGF, refractory disease, intraretinal fluid, systematic review, meta-analysis


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alshamrani MA, Almazrou AA, Alshehri JA, Alasmari JN, Al-wagdani LS, Alrashidi NH, Hakami RY, Alharthi RH, Alahmad WA, Alazwari WI. Switching to faricimab in anti-VEGF refractory macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC. 2026; 10(9): 2877-2884. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1783865768

Web Style

Alshamrani MA, Almazrou AA, Alshehri JA, Alasmari JN, Al-wagdani LS, Alrashidi NH, Hakami RY, Alharthi RH, Alahmad WA, Alazwari WI. Switching to faricimab in anti-VEGF refractory macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=327549 [Access: September 19, 2026]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1783865768

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alshamrani MA, Almazrou AA, Alshehri JA, Alasmari JN, Al-wagdani LS, Alrashidi NH, Hakami RY, Alharthi RH, Alahmad WA, Alazwari WI. Switching to faricimab in anti-VEGF refractory macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC. 2026; 10(9): 2877-2884. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1783865768


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alshamrani MA, Almazrou AA, Alshehri JA, Alasmari JN, Al-wagdani LS, Alrashidi NH, Hakami RY, Alharthi RH, Alahmad WA, Alazwari WI. Switching to faricimab in anti-VEGF refractory macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC. (2026), [cited September 19, 2026]; 10(9): 2877-2884. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1783865768


Harvard Style

Alshamrani, M. A., Almazrou, . A. A., Alshehri, . J. A., Alasmari, . J. N., Al-wagdani, . L. S., Alrashidi, . N. H., Hakami, . R. Y., Alharthi, . R. H., Alahmad, . W. A. & Alazwari, . W. I. (2026) Switching to faricimab in anti-VEGF refractory macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC, 10 (9), 2877-2884. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1783865768


Turabian Style

Alshamrani, Meaad Ahmed, Abdulrhman A. Almazrou, Jana Ahmed Alshehri, Jana Nasser Alasmari, Leen Saleh Al-wagdani, Nujud Hameed Alrashidi, Remas Yousef Hakami, Ruba Hassan Alharthi, Wasan Abdullah Alahmad, and Weaam Ibrahim Alazwari. 2026. Switching to faricimab in anti-VEGF refractory macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (9), 2877-2884. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1783865768


Chicago Style

Alshamrani, Meaad Ahmed, Abdulrhman A. Almazrou, Jana Ahmed Alshehri, Jana Nasser Alasmari, Leen Saleh Al-wagdani, Nujud Hameed Alrashidi, Remas Yousef Hakami, Ruba Hassan Alharthi, Wasan Abdullah Alahmad, and Weaam Ibrahim Alazwari. "Switching to faricimab in anti-VEGF refractory macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10 (2026), 2877-2884. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1783865768


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alshamrani, Meaad Ahmed, Abdulrhman A. Almazrou, Jana Ahmed Alshehri, Jana Nasser Alasmari, Leen Saleh Al-wagdani, Nujud Hameed Alrashidi, Remas Yousef Hakami, Ruba Hassan Alharthi, Wasan Abdullah Alahmad, and Weaam Ibrahim Alazwari. "Switching to faricimab in anti-VEGF refractory macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10.9 (2026), 2877-2884. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1783865768


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alshamrani, M. A., Almazrou, . A. A., Alshehri, . J. A., Alasmari, . J. N., Al-wagdani, . L. S., Alrashidi, . N. H., Hakami, . R. Y., Alharthi, . R. H., Alahmad, . W. A. & Alazwari, . W. I. (2026) Switching to faricimab in anti-VEGF refractory macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (9), 2877-2884. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1783865768




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