Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the effectiveness of selective VEGF inhibition with pegaptanib in patients with ischemic BRVO.
Methods: :
This open-label study conducted in a retina specialty practice included patients with BRVO who were <75 years of age, with baseline visual acuity 20/20 to hand motion, angiographically documented capillary nonperfusion and/or neovascularization, and ischemia ≤20 total disc areas. Patients were treated with intravitreal pegaptanib 0.3 mg administered at 6-weekly intervals for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 injections. Follow-up continued for 3 to 6 months. Full ophthalmic exams were performed and OCT was measured at each visit with fundus photography and fluorescein angiography every 4-6 weeks, and microperimerty every 2-3 months.
Results: :
In 7 patients with BRVO, a mean visual acuity increase of 11.6 letters from baseline to week 24 (from 62.0 to 73.6 letters) was observed with pegaptanib treatment. Mean center point thickness decreased by 82 µm between baseline and week 24 (from 330 µm to 248 µm). Increased visual acuity and decreased center point thickness occurred in all 7 patients between baseline and both weeks 6 and 24. All 6 subjects with microperimetry examinations at baseline and week 24 showed a shift toward more points with higher sensibilities.
Keywords: vascular occlusion/vascular occlusive disease • visual acuity • edema