OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal Bevacizumab in treatment of non-ischemic macular edema secondary to retinal vein obstruction (RVO).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 2-year-retrospective study was performed on 26 patients hospitalized for non-ischemic macular edema secondary to RVO. All the patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic exam, with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) testing, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography (FA) and macular thickness measurement by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Reevaluation was performed monthly for VA, OCT, and ophthalmoscopy and, at every 3 months, by FA. A standard protocol of 0.05 ml intravitreal Bevacizumab injection was applied. Further administrations were performed according to clinical evolution.

RESULTS

The medium follow-up period was of 9,7 months (6-20 months). There were no significant complications following the procedure. The number of intravitreal Bevacizumab injections varied from 2-5/ patient. All the patients experienced an improvement in VA and a significant regression of macular edema. The smallest number of intravitreal Bevacizumab injections and the best visual prognosis were observed in cases with branch retinal vein obstruction (BRVO) and early presentation (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

As a pathogenic therapy, intravitreal Bevacizumab is a safe, repeatable procedure and it may be considered an effective and lasting treatment for non-ischemic macular edema secondary to RVO. Intravitreal Bevacizumab should be included in the therapeutic protocol of RVO, both for early and delayed presentations. RVO = retinal vein obstruction, BRVO = branch retinal vein obstruction, CRVO = central retinal branch obstruction, BCVA = best corrected visual acuity, FA = fluorescein angiography, OCT = optical coherence tomography.