The procedure for the intravitreal aflibercept injection was performed using standard aseptic techniques. After providing local anesthesia with proparacaine hydrochloride eye drops (Alcaine, Alcon Laboratories Inc, Fort Worth, Texas, USA), the eyelids and the inferior conjunctival fornix were sterilized with 5% povidone iodine. Aflibercept (2.0 mg, 0.05 ml) was injected through the pars plana (4 mm behind the limbus) using a 27-gauge needle.