Bevacizumab therapy for macular edema in central retinal vein occlusion: Long-term results

BACKGROUND: There is no proven effective treatment for vision loss in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Bevacizumab has been reported in small series with limited follow-up, to have a positive effect in reducing cystoid macular edema (CME) and improving vision in CRVO. PURPOSE: To report long-term results with the use of bevacizumab in CRVO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective interventional case series included 15 patients, serially evaluated with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography, and tonometry. Results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 12 ± 3.6 months (range, 6–18 months); mean number of injections was 2.2 (range, 1–4) per patient. Statistically significant reduction of macular thickness (P < 0.001) was seen at six weeks (mean, 346 μ); three months (mean, 353 μ); six months (mean, 348 μ); and final follow-up (mean, 342 μ). Significant BCVA improvement was seen at six weeks (mean, 0.27 logMAR), three months (mean, 0.3 logMAR), three months (0.15 logMAR), and final follow-up (mean, 0.21 logMAR) (P = 0.009). Also, 73.3% patients had BCVA improvement at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab is an effective treatment option for CME in CRVO patients. Reinjections at appropriate timing, based on the OCT findings, are important for better visual outcome.