Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection for Macular Edema Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion: Long-Term Results.

Ahn, Seong Min; Lee, Soo Jung; Park, Jung Min

doi:2014.55.3.379

J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > Volume 55(3); 2014 > Article

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2014;55(3):379-386.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2014.55.3.379 Published online March 15, 2014.

Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection for Macular Edema Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion: Long-Term Results.

Seong Min Ahn, Soo Jung Lee, Jung Min Park

¹Department of Ophthalmology, Maryknoll Medical Center, Busan, Korea. pjm1438@hanmail.net
²Department of Ophthalmology, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.

망막분지정맥폐쇄에서 황반부종 치료로 유리체강내 베바시주맙 주입술의 장기 효과

안성민¹⋅이수정²⋅박정민¹

Department of Ophthalmology, Maryknoll Medical Center¹, Busan, Korea
Department of Ophthalmology, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine², Busan, Korea

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the long-term results of intravitreal bevacizumab injection for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: Fifty-six eyes with macular edema secondary to BRVO were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab injection. They were classified into two groups, one group that received three initial intravitreal bevacizumab loadings at monthly intervals and a second group that received only one initial injection. In the two groups, additive injection was performed at recurrence. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) and retinal ischemic change was analyzed for more than 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: After 12 months of follow-up, mean BCVA improved and mean CMT reduced significantly in both groups (p < 0.05). However, the range of BCVA improvement and CMT reduction was wider in the three-injection group than in the single-injection group. Fluorescein angiography revealed posterior retinal ischemic changes; bevacizumab didn't seem to aggravate the ischemic change. No drug-related ocular or systemic side effects were observed in the follow-up period after intravitreal bevacizumab treatment except subconjunctival hemorrhage and a mild increase of intraocular pressure. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with macular edema secondary to BRVO, intravitreal bevacizumab injection was a safe and effective treatment, and a more significant visual improvement and reduction of macular edema was achieved after three initial loadings rather than after a single injection.

Key Words: Bevacizumab;Initial loading;Macular edema;Retinal ischemia;Retinal vein occlusion