ABSTRACT

Conclusion:

Intravitreal bevacizumab injection for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion was effective and safe at early period. Further studies with a long follow-up and a large number of patients are required.

Results:

Mean follow-up was 4,8±1,7 (2-6) months. Mean foveal thickness was 493,20±134,77 mm at baseline, 242,38±46,02 mm at 1 month, 253,60±109,03 mm at 2 months, 251,15±112,06 mm at 3 months, 276,30±100,20 mm at 6 months. Mean decrease in foveal thickness was significant at postinjection months 1, 2, 3, and 6 (p <0.01). Mean ETDRS letter scores (Snellen) were 55,87±14,90 (20/80) at baseline, 69,47±9,93 (20/50) at 1 month, 72,13±8,74 (20/40) at 2 months, 72,08±9,56 (20/40) at 3 months, and 72,20±8,64 (20/40) at 6 months. Mean change in ETDRS letters from baseline to months 1, 2, 3, and 6 were significant (p<0.01). Vitreous inflammation was observed in one patient.

Method:

In this retrospective study, 15 eyes of 15 patients who underwent intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) injection for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion were evaluated. Eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion that have medical records of baseline and postinjection optical coherens tomography (OCT) measures and foveal thickness > 250 µm were included in the study. All eyes received at least 3 intravitreal injections of 1.25mg/0.05ml bevacizumab monthly. Main outcome measures were Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity and foveal thickness changes, and complications.

Purpose:

To report the foveal thickness and visual acuity changes after intravitreal bevacizumab injection for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion.