Intravitreal Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Proliferative Retinopathy and Macular Edema in Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

Abstract

Methods:: This is a retrospective case series of 5 patients with CRVO. All patients had macular edema, and 2 had evidence of proliferative retinopathy. They were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab for a period ranging from 2 to 6 months with a maximum of 3 injections spaced 4-6 weeks apart.

Results:: 2 patients showed a stabilization of vision, 2 patients showed a 1 line improvement in vision, and one patient showed a 5 line improvement in vision. Furthermore, two patients also showed a reduction in neovascular proliferation on fluorescein angiography. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) testing showed an average initial central macular thickness (CMT) of 396.6µm which decreased to 232.4µm on follow up with an average decrease in CMT of 163.2µm. No significant adverse events were encountered.Discussion: This study supports previous findings that ME secondary to CRVO responds to intravitreal avastin with an improvement in macular thickness and visual acuity. Furthermore, intravitreal avastin may be beneficial in the treatment of ischemic CRVO and reduces neovascular proliferation.

Keywords: vascular occlusion/vascular occlusive disease