Abstract
Purpose::
To evaluate visual acuity and anatomic results of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) injections in patients with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).
Methods::
Sixteen eyes of sixteen patients with macular edema secondary to BRVO, who received at least one intravitreal injection of bevacizumab, 1.25 mg in 0.05 ml, were included in this retrospective study. Patients underwent visual acuity (VA) testing, optical coherence tomography and ophthalmoscopic evaluation at baseline and follow-up examinations.
Results::
The follow-up was between 4 and 17 months. Patients received a mean of 2.5 bevacizumab injections. The mean baseline VA was 20/ 230 (logMAR 1.06) and improved to a mean acuity of 20/70 (logMAR 0.55) at one month, the difference was highly significant (p = 0.001). The mean central macular thickness at baseline was 505 µm and decreased to a mean of 267 µm at one month (p < 0.001). At last follow-up the mean VA was 20/50 (logMAR 0.39) and the mean central macular thickness was 273 µm, both significantly better than at baseline (p < 0.001). No complications were observed, including endophthalmitis, increased intraocular pressure, retinal tears or detachments.
Conclusions::
: Intravitreal bevacizumab appears to be a safe and effective treatment for macular edema associated with BRVO. Larger study samples are necessary to validate the preliminary findings of this pilot study.
Keywords: macula/fovea • retina • retinal neovascularization