Retinal vein occlusion(RVO)is the most common, vision-threatening, retinal vascular disease after diabetic retinopathy. RVO has characteristics of the retinal vein dilation and circuity, and retinal hemorrhage, edema and exudation along the vein. If edema occurs in macular area, it will lead to severe decreased central visual acuity. Though the clinical entity of RVO has been known for 100 years, the treatment remains unsatisfied. The advent of glucocorticoid and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents has made great progress in the treatment. The article illustrates the mechanism of macular oedema(MO)secondary to RVO. The pharmacological action and advancement of the drugs of glucocorticoid and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents are reviewed in this article. The prospects in the treatment of this disease are also mentioned.