Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) vs laser photocoagulation and IVB to treat macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occusive disease (BRVO).
Methods: :
15 eyes in 15 patients affected by macular oedema secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided in two groups according to the treatment applied: Group 1 (9 eyes) underwent to intravitreal bevacizumab injection, 2 mg /0.075 mL, every 6 weeks for 6 months; Group 2 (6 eyes) underwent to a combined therapy with intravitreal bevacizumab as Group 1 and macular laser photocoagulation after the first injection. A complete ophthalmological examination, which included snellen visual acuity testing, optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography were performed at baseline and during post treatment follow up visits (mean follow up 8.3 months).
Results: :
In Group 1, mean visual acuity improved from 0.2 at baseline to 0.35 after the first injection, to 0.4 after the second one, to 0.48 after the third one. In Group 2, mean visual acuity improved from 0.26 at baseline to 0.5, to 0.6 and to 0.6 after the scheduled treatment. In Group 1, mean Central Macular Thickness (CMT) decreased from 450 µm at baseline, to 304 µm after the second injection, to 254 µm after the second one and to 231 µm after the third one. In Group 2, mean CMT decreased from 396 µm at baseline to 296 µm, to 288 µm and to 283 µm after the last scheduled treatment. Not adverse events were reported during the follow up, including endophthalmitis, retinal tears, or thromboembolic events in any patient.
Keywords: vascular occlusion/vascular occlusive disease • macula/fovea • edema