Intravitreal Avastin for macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a prospective study.

Abstract

To evaluate efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) in eyes with macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Twenty-eight consecutive patients (28 patients, 29 eyes, 8 CRVO, 21 BRVO) were enrolled in the study. Three intravitreal injections of 1 mg bevacizumab (0.04 ml) were administered at 4-week intervals; further retreatment was based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings. Follow-up examinations were done at days 1, 7 and 28 and at monthly intervals thereafter. Mean baseline central retinal thickness (CRT) in OCT was 558 microm (range 353-928 microm) and mean BCVA was 20/100. One day after the first injection, CRT significantly decreased to 401 microm (p<0.01). Three injections reduced macular oedema to 328 microm CRT (p<0.01) and improved BCVA to 20/50 (p<0.01). At 6 months, CRT was 382 microm (p<0.01), and BCVA was stable at 20/50(-2) (p<0.01), FA showed no evidence of increased avascular zones. Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab appear to be a safe and effective therapy in the treatment of macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion.