Abstract
Purpose: :
The primary objectives are to evaluate the visual acuity (VA) and ocular coherence tomography (OCT) macular thickness changes with the use of intravitreous bevacizumab (IVB) every six weeks in the treatment of macular edema caused by retinal vein occlusion (RVO). The secondary objective is to evaluate safety of this procedure.
Methods: :
Prospective, open-label, non-randomized, non-controlled, interventional, consecutive case series of patients with macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion (central and branch) and VA between 20/40 and 20/800. Patients received 1.5 or 2.0mg of IVB at baseline, and at 45 days thereafter. Main exclusion criteria were onset of RVO less than 3 months or more than 9 months, follow-up less than 90 days, use of intraocular or periocular steroids or intraocular surgery in the past 6 months, retinal photocoagulation, and history of thromboembolic event in the past 24 months. VA was measured using the ETDRS chart at baseline, 90-day and 180-day. Fluorescein angiograms and OCT were also performed at baseline and follow-up visits.
Results: :
Seven eyes of seven patients were enrolled. The mean age was 61.6 years (49 - 76). Six were male. Five patients had branch vein occlusion and 2 had central vein occlusion. The mean follow-up was 141.4 days (90 - 180). The mean baseline VA was 0.46 (0.3 - 1.0). The mean 90-day VA was 0.47 (0.1 - 1.0). The mean 180-day VA was 0.48 (0.1 - 0.9). The mean OCT thickness was 456.8 µ (269µ - 532 µ), 323.6 µ (186µ - 483µ), and 197.2µ (169µ - 223µ) at baseline, 90-day and 180-day follow-up visit, respectively. No ocular or systemic adverse effects were noted.
Conclusions: :
Visual acuity remained stable throughout the study period with the use of IVB. On the other hand, central macular thickness decreased significantly in patients with macular edema due to RVO. The use of IVB every 6 weeks was safe in such patients.
Keywords: retina • drug toxicity/drug effects • edema