Abstract
Purpose: :
To asses the effects of the anti–VEGF antibody Bevacizumab (BV) on retinal edema in retinal vein occlusions.
Methods: :
Retrospective uncontrolled study of the effects of BV on visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and central retinal thickness measured by OCT in branch retinal (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusions (CRVO).
Results: :
A total of 50 eyes in 49 patients received an intravitreal injection of 1.25mg of BV for BRVO and CRVO. Early follow up (n=6) demonstrated statistically significant reduction (P<0.05) in central retinal thickness at both 1 week (527µm vs 263µm) and 4–6 weeks (527µm vs 247µm). Mean IOP fell at both 1week (20.7 vs.19.2mmHg) and 4–6 weeks (20.7 vs.16.6mmHg) of follow up. Visual acuity improved from 1.29 to 1.14 LogMAR at 1 week follow up (P<0.05), but at 4–6 weeks follow up was no longer statistically improved (1.29 vs.1.18, P>0.05).
Conclusions: :
Bevacizumab injection produced significantly reduced central retinal thickness in BRVO/CRVO patients at 1 week and 4–6 week follow up as well as limited improvement in visual acuity at 1 week follow up. There was also a trend towards lower IOP. Effects were transient consistent with the limited half–life of bevacizumab. Re–injection may be beneficial in these patients. Extended follow–up will be presented.
Keywords: retinal neovascularization • injection • vascular occlusion/vascular occlusive disease