The Efficacy of Intravitreal Bevacizumab in the Treatment of Macular Edema

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macularthickness after intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with macular edema. METHODS: Patients with macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion, central retinal vein occlusion, and diabetic retinopathy received intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (2.5 mg/0.1cc). Complete ophthalmic examinations including best corrected visual acuity and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed at baseline and follow-up visits for 6 months. RESULTS: In macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion, the mean BCVA improved from logMAR 0.62+/-0.30 at baseline to logMAR 0.43+/-0.37 at 1 month, 0.34+/-0.40 at 3 months and 0.38+/-0.37 at 6 months (p<0.05). The mean central macular thickness decreased from 451.2+/-118.9 micrometer at baseline to 280.3+/-124.6 micrometer at 1 month, 345.8+/-157.1 micrometer at 3 months and 312.9+/-174.4 micrometer at 6 months (p<0.05). In macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy, visual improvement and macular thickness reduction were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection appears to be more effective for macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion than macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy.