Early versus late intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of early versus late intravitreal injection of triamcinolone in patients with macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: Twenty eyes of 20 patients with macular edema from BRVO, including 10 with duration after onset of or 3 months, improvements in visual acuity and foveal thickness, though apparent at 1 month, were not maintained at 3 and 6 months post-triamcinolone. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal triamcinolone is more effective in patients with BRVO who are treated earlier.     

玻璃体腔注射Bevacizumab治疗视网膜分支静脉阻塞性黄斑水肿(英文)

目的:观察玻璃体腔注射bevacizumab(Avastin)治疗视网膜分支静脉阻塞性黄斑水肿的有效性和安全性。方法:观察一组视网膜分支静脉阻塞引起黄斑水肿的连续病例,对其进行玻璃体腔注射bevacizumab(Avastin)后的疗效进行分析。所有患者在治疗开始前以及治疗后随诊时间点均进行完全的眼科相关检查,包括视力测定,OCT和/或FFA检查。结果:对32例患者(32眼)分别至少进行一次玻璃体腔注药(1～3次),术后平均观察时间为4.7mo。平均视力:治疗前为20/200-,治疗后1mo20/100-,治疗后3mo及最近一次检查为20/100+(P<0.01);黄斑中心1mm区厚度:治疗前为483μm,治疗后1,3mo及最近一次分别为275,314和301μm(P<0.01)。没有观察到任何不良副作用。结论:玻璃体腔注射bvacizumab(Avastin)治疗能显著减轻视网膜分支静脉阻塞性黄斑水肿、提高视力且没有不良反应。     

Comparison of Injection of Intravitreal Drugs with Standard Care in Macular Edema Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Purpose

To compare the long-term efficacy and safety of intravitreal triamcinolon with or without rescue laser therapy (intravitreal triamcinolone injection [IVTA] group), bevacizumab with or without rescue laser treatment (intravitreal bevacizumab injection [IVB] group), or a combination of both with or without rescue laser therapy (IVTA + IVB group), with standard care for patients with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of 151 patients treated with intravitreal injection with or without rescue laser for treatment of macular edema caused by BRVO, and who were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. During the observation period, rescue grid laser or repeated intravitreal injection with initial drug was performed if recurrence of macular edema was confirmed. Visual acuity, change in visual acuity, and intraocular pressure were compared in each phase.

Results

Totals of 16%, 5.6%, and 0% of participants in the three groups showed significant visual loss of more than three lines of the Snellen chart at last follow-up. The IVTA group was the least effective treatment modality, with statistical significance. The development rates of elevated intraocular pressure were similar among the groups.

Conclusions

Although IVTA yielded effects similar to those of standard grid photocoagulation based on the Standard Care vs Corticosteroid for Retinal Vein Occlusion study, IVB or IVTA + IVB with or without rescue laser treatment resulted in improvement in visual acuity at 24 months after the start of treatment and was associated with few serious adverse side effects. Thus, these approaches could be useful for treating macular edema arising secondary to BRVO.     

玻璃体腔注射雷珠单抗联合激光治疗视网膜分支静脉阻塞继发黄斑水肿的疗效观察

目的观察玻璃体腔注射雷珠单抗联合黄斑区格栅样光凝治疗视网膜分支静脉阻塞（BRVO）继发黄斑水肿的疗效和安全性。方法据荧光素眼底血管造影（FFA）对30例（30眼）视网膜分支静脉阻塞继发黄斑水肿患者随机分为2组：第1组（14眼）单纯行黄斑区格栅样光凝（GLP）;第2组（16眼）玻璃体腔连续注射3次雷珠单抗0.05ml/（0.5mg）,每次间隔1个月,第1次注射雷珠单抗7天后行GLP治疗。随访6个月,观察最佳矫正视力（BCVA）及光学相关断层扫描（OCT）检查黄斑中心凹厚度（CMT）的变化。结果 6个月后两组患者最佳矫正视力（BCVA）均提高,联合治疗组优于单纯GLP组（P〈0.05）。OCT显示第1组黄斑中心凹厚度平均降低236.4±113.0μm,第2组平均降低386.6±195.5μm,联合治疗组优于单纯GLP组（P〈0.05）。结论联合治疗明显优于单独激光治疗,玻璃体腔内注射雷珠单抗联合黄斑区格栅样光凝术治疗视网膜分支静脉阻塞继发黄斑水肿安全有效。     

玻璃体腔注射贝伐单抗治疗PDR黄斑水肿后患者的满意度和视力(英文)

目的:增生性糖尿病性视网膜病播散性视网膜激光光凝后,用非选择性抗VEGF抑制剂贝伐单抗治疗糖尿病性黄斑水肿,调查患者自我评估的视功能及视力。方法:30例30眼增生性糖尿病性视网膜病伴持续性糖尿病性黄斑水肿连续病例,播散性视网膜激光光凝后,1.25mg贝伐单抗0.05mL (Avastin)单剂量玻璃体腔注射治疗。对照组包括30例30眼增生性糖尿病性视网膜病,只接受播散性视网膜激光光凝。主要的调查结果包括Snellen视力,眼底临床检查和患者自我用0-100分数值范围评价的视觉质量。结果:贝伐单抗组的平均基线视力为0.48±0.58 logMAR,对照组为0.61±0.78 (两组无显著差异)。6mo后,视力没有显著的变化,贝伐单抗组和对照组分别为0.33±0.41和0.52±0.68。临床检查显示黄斑水肿仅有一些改善趋势。患者用直观模拟标度尺主观评价视功能结果显示注射贝伐单抗6mo后由60.2±17.5改善至76.0±15.6 (P<0.001)。对照组自我评估视功能平均值为59.6±19.8,与贝伐单抗组基线值无显著差异,但是低于注射贝伐单抗后分数,差异有高度显著性(P<0.01)。结论:治疗增生性糖尿病性视网膜病的黄斑水肿,贝伐单抗(Avastin)玻璃体腔注射作为播散性激光光凝的辅助治疗较单纯的激光治疗后患者满意度和自我评价的视力显著改善。患者视力在6mo后无明显变化。     

Effect of vitreomacular adhesion on antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion

Purpose

To investigate the association between vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) and the visual and anatomic outcomes of antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy for macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Methods

This study included 107 eyes of 107 patients with BRVO who underwent intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg bevacizumab. The presence of VMA was determined with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). All eyes underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) measurements using SD-OCT immediately before the injection and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the injection. The main outcome measures were changes in BCVA and CRT from baseline.

Results

The VMA(+) and VMA(?) groups consisted of 47 and 60 eyes, respectively, and patients’ age differed significantly between the groups (P < 0.001). In both groups, BCVA and CRT improved after the injection. The VMA(+) group showed better improvement in BCVA than did the VMA(?) group (P = 0.0150), and the presence of VMA was associated with a greater decrease in CRT after adjusting for age (P = 0.0019).

Conclusions

Presence of VMA may be associated with superior visual and anatomic outcome for intravitreal bevacizumab in the treatment of macular edema due to BRVO.     

Clinical, anatomic, and electrophysiologic evaluation following intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema in retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To investigate clinical, anatomic, and electrophysiologic response after single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for macular edema attributable to retinal vein occlusion. DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized, interventional case series. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with macular edema attributable to vein occlusion received intravitreal injection of bevacizumab 1.25 mg. Nine patients had central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), and 12 patients had branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Complete ophthalmic examination including optical coherence tomography (OCT) was done at baseline and follow-up visits. Fifteen patients underwent fluorescein angiography at baseline. Selected patients underwent electroretinography (ERG) and visual evoked potential (VEP) at baseline and follow-up. Follow-up was for 12 weeks. RESULTS: At baseline, mean visual acuity was 20/381 (median, 20/400) and showed improvement to mean 20/135 (median, 20/60) after one month, (P = .001). At 12 weeks, mean visual acuity was 20/178 (median, 20/80) (P = .001). The mean central retinal thickness (CRT) was 647.81 microm (median, 609.00 microm) at baseline and decreased to mean 293.43 microm (median, 222.00 microm) at one month (P = .001). At 12 weeks, mean CRT was 320.90 mum (median, 280.00 microm) (P = .001). ERG and VEP showed no worsening of the waveforms. There was no significant difference in the visual outcome between the BRVO and CRVO groups. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab appears to result in significant short-term improvement of visual acuity and macular edema secondary to vein occlusion. The present report confirms the previous studies. No ocular toxicity or adverse effects were observed. However, prospective, randomized, controlled long-term studies are required with an adequate number of patients.     

玻璃体腔注射曲氨奈德与bevacizumab 治疗糖尿病性黄斑水肿疗效比较

目的 对比分析玻璃体腔注射曲氨奈德(TA)与抗血管内皮生长因子单克隆抗体(bevacizumab)治疗糖尿病黄斑水肿(DME)的临床疗效.方法 经眼科常规检查和光学相干断层扫描(OCT)检查确诊,共68例82只眼DME患者纳入观察.患者被分成两组进行玻璃体腔注射TA(4mg/0.1ml)或bevacizumab(1.25mg/0.05ml)治疗.TA组37例45只眼,bevaicizumab组31例37只眼,两组在年龄、糖尿病病程、黄斑水肿病程、最佳矫正视力(BCVA)、中心视网膜厚度(CMT)、眼压等方面均无显著差异.比较治疗后4、8、12周两组间BCVA、CMT、眼压的改变.结果 TA组与bevacizumab组在治疗后4 周、8周、12周时视力差异无统计学意义(t=-0.316,0.896、0.879,P=0.754、0.389、0.384).治疗后4周、12周时,TA组比bevacizumab组黄斑水肿有显著下降(t=-1.892、-3.007,P=0.036、0.004),8周时差异无统计学意义(t=-0.362,P=0.722).眼压在治疗后8周、12周时两组差异有统计学意义(t=2.334、2.600,P=0.026、0.015),TA组眼压明显高于bevacizumab组.结论 玻璃体腔注射TA比bevacizumab更早、更有效地降低糖尿病黄斑水肿,并且维持时间更长,此结果还需大样本、多中心的临床随机对照研究.     

Visual improvement following intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) in exudative age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To study the visual and anatomic outcome of intravitreal bevacizumab injection in the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Retrospective review of patients who received one or more intravitreal bevacizumab injections for exudative AMD. Outcome measures include standardized visual acuity, optical coherence tomography (OCT), macular thickness and volume, intraocular pressure, and blood pressure at 24 or more weeks follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty eyes of 48 patients were identified. Patients were observed for a median length of follow-up of 34 weeks (range, 24-50 weeks). Thirty-six eyes (72%) had prior treatment with pegaptanib (Macugen) and/or photodynamic therapy (PDT) and 14 eyes (28%) were treatment-naive. Mean visual acuity increased by 6.5 letters (P < 0.01) at 4 weeks and 5.3 letters (P < 0.01) at 24 weeks after initial bevacizumab injection. At 24 weeks, naive eyes had a mean increase of 14.2 letters (P < 0.001) and previously treated eyes had a mean increase of 2.8 letters (P = 0.06). Overall, mean OCT macular thickness and volume decreased by 73 micro m (P < 0.001) and 1.0 mm3 (P < 0.001) respectively at last follow-up. At last follow-up, all eyes received an average of 3.5 injections and experienced an average of 1.08 recurrences. There was no incidence of severe vision loss or adverse effect. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab has the potential for improvement in vision in both naive and previously treated eyes for at least 6 months. The benefit is more pronounced in eyes without prior pegaptanib and/or PDT.     

Intravitreal bevacizumab (avastin) in central retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To describe the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab in eyes with macular edema resulting from central retinal vein occlusions (CRVO). METHODS: Retrospective consecutive case series of patients diagnosed with macular edema from CRVO who received intravitreal bevacizumab. RESULTS: Thirty eyes of 29 patients with an average age of 72 years (range, 54-87 years) had intravitreal bevacizumab injections. Mean follow-up was 18.1 weeks. Initial mean visual acuity was 20/394. At the 1- and 2-month follow-up, mean visual acuity improved to 20/237 (n = 26, P = 0.04) and 20/187 (n = 21, P = 0.008), respectively. At the 3- and 4-month follow-up, visual acuity improved from 20/228 to 20/157 (n = 15, P = 0.05) and from 20/313 to 20/213 (n = 11, P = 0.03), respectively. No significant changes in visual acuity were found after 4 months though the number of patients in this group was small. Duration of treatment effect following an injection appears to be limited to 2 months for most patients. No ocular or systemic adverse reactions were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The visual benefits of intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema due to CRVO are apparent early but are not sustained without repeated injections. Larger clinical studies with long-term follow-up will be necessary to better elicit the best regimen for this therapy.     

The photopic negative response of flash ERG in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy

Purpose To evaluate with electrophysiological responses and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), the short term functional and structural effects at the macula following intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for macular edema. Methods Prospective, non-randomized, interventional case study. In total, 17 eyes of 17 patients with macular edema due to vein occlusions and diabetic retinopathy received intravitreal bevacizumab. All Patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination including Snellen visual acuity testing, Multifocal Electroretinography (mfERG) and Full Field Electroretinography (FERG), OCT scanning at baseline at 1 week and 2 months after intravitreal bevacizumab. Results FERG did not show any change in waveform parameters following intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. Average mfERG macular responses within central 20° showed increased P₁ amplitude (P < 0.05) at 2 months after treatment as compared to the baseline recordings in all subjects. No changes were seen in the implicit time. There was 22% improvement in central retinal thickness (CRT) at 2 months compared to the baseline (P < 001). Conclusion Intravitreal injection bevacizumab resulted in reduction in the central retinal thickness and mild to moderate improvement in the mfERG amplitudes in this short-term study. The visual acuity changes did not directly correlate with the reduced central retinal thickness or improvement in mfERG. The short-term results showed no serious ocular adverse effects. Therefore on short-term follow up the off label drug showed improvement of macular edema secondary to vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy with no demonstrable toxic effects.     

A comparative study between intravitreal triamcinolone and bevacizumab for macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion with poor vision

Aim:

To compare the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone in patients with macular edema after central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), presenting with poor visual acuity.

Materials and Methods:

It was a retrospective, comparative case series of 38 consecutive eyes, with macular edema secondary to CRVO, with 20/200 or worse vision, which were treated primarily either with intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg; 24 eyes) or intravitreal triamcinolone (4 mg; 14 eyes). During follow-up, 3.6 ± 0.8 re-injections of bevacizumab and 2.4 ± 0.5 re-injections of triamcinolone were administered (P = 0.080). The main outcome measures were the best-corrected visual acuity and the central macular thickness by optical coherence tomography during 12 months of follow-up.

Results:

At 12 months, visual acuity (logMAR) was changed from 1.03 ± 0.39 (baseline) to 0.92 ± 0.39 (P = 0.374) and the central macular thickness was reduced from a baseline of 713.6 ± 179.3 µm to 310.8 ± 205.2 µm (P = 0.000). Neither the bevacizumab nor triamcinolone groups varied significantly in visual acuity and central macular thickness at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Neovascular glaucoma developed in two of the 14 eyes (14%) in the triamcinolone group.

Conclusion:

In patients with CRVO and poor vision, intravitreal bevacizumab and intravitreal triamcinolone were associated with a reduction in macular edema; however, neither treatment achieved significant visual acuity improvement by the 12-month follow-up.     

Prospective comparisons of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide and bevacizumab for macular oedema due to branch retinal vein occlusion

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and that of bevacizumab for macular oedema because of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Design: Prospective, comparative, randomized, interventional clinical trial. Methods: Forty‐three eyes of 43 patients with macular oedema because of BRVO were randomly assigned to 4‐mg intravitreal injections of TA (IVTA)(21 patients, IVTA group) or 1.25‐mg intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (IVB) (22 patients, IVB group) and followed for 12 months. No additional treatments were administered for 3 months after the initial injection; additional injections were administered when macular oedema recurred between 3 and 12 months after the initial injection. The best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured at baseline and monthly. The main outcome measures were changes in the logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution BCVA and CRT from baseline to 12 months. Results: Eighteen eyes of 18 patients in the IVTA group and 18 eyes of 18 patients in the IVB group completed follow‐up at 12 months. The mean improvements in BCVA from baseline to 12 months were 0.12 in the IVTA group and 0.33 in the IVB group, which was significantly (p = 0.032) higher than in the IVTA group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the mean reduction in CRT from baseline to 12 months after the initial injection. Two eyes in the IVTA group required intraocular pressure–lowering medications. Conclusion: Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab may be of greater benefit than that of TA for macular oedema because of BRVO.     

Comparison of two doses of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) for treatment of macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion: results from the Pan-American Collaborative Retina Study Group at 6 months of follow-up

PURPOSE: To report the 6-month anatomical and visual outcomes after injecting two different doses of intravitreal bevacizumab in patients with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: An interventional, retrospective multicenter study of 45 eyes that were treated with at least one intravitreal injection (24 eyes, 1.25 mg; 21 eyes, 2.5 mg) of bevacizumab is reported. The main outcome measures were the central 1-mm macular thickness (CMT) and the change in ETDRS lines of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 6 months. RESULTS: Forty-five eyes were injected on average 26.1 months (range, 3-86 months) after the diagnosis. The average follow-up was 35.2 weeks (range, 24-52 weeks). All patients completed at least 6 months of follow-up. In the 1.25-mg dose group, at 1 month, there was an average gain of 4.5 lines of BCVA; at 3 months, 5.1 lines of BCVA; and at 6 months, 5.1 lines of BCVA (P < 0.005). In the 2.5-mg dose group, at 1 month, there was an average gain of 2.3 lines of BCVA; at 3 months, 3.8 lines of BCVA; and at 6 months, 4.8 lines of BCVA (P = 0.05). In the 1.25-mg dose group, the mean CMT +/- SD decreased from 461 +/- 211 microm at baseline to 321 +/- 152 microm at 1 month, 273 +/- 99 microm at 3 months, and 277 +/- 114 microm at 6 months (P = 0.0002). In the 2.5-mg group, the mean CMT +/- SD decreased from 385 +/- 168 microm at baseline to 279 +/- 111 microm at 1 month, 249 +/- 97 microm at 3 months, and 240 +/- 93 microm at 6 months (P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: There were no statistically significant differences between the two dose groups with regard to the number of injections and anatomical and functional outcomes. Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab at doses up to 2.5 mg appears to be effective in improving BCVA and reducing CMT in BRVO in the short term. Multiple injections are needed in a large number of eyes for continued control of macular edema and preservation of visual acuity in the short term. Longer studies are needed to determine what role if any intravitreal injection of bevacizumab may play in the long-term treatment of this condition.     

Clinical,anatomical, and electrophysiological assessments of the central retina following intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term visual, anatomical and electrophysiological outcomes of repeated intravitreal injections of bevacizumab for macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and investigate any possible toxic effects on the central fovea. This is a prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. Thirty-three eyes of 33 patients with macular edema secondary to RVO were treated with 1.25 mg/0.05 ml intravitreal bevacizumab. Nine patients had nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and 24 patients had branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity, central retinal thickness (CRT), and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) responses changes at baseline, 1 month after the third injection and at the end of the 2-year long follow-up period. Patients with CRVO had mean best-corrected Snellen visual acuity of 0.10 at baseline, which improved significantly to 0.31 after 2 years (P = 0. 028).The mean CRT at presentation was 756.28 μm and reduced significantly to 439.14 μm after 2 years (P = 0.05). Patients with BRVO had mean best-corrected Snellen visual acuity of 0.19 at baseline, which improved significantly to 0.40 after 2 years (P < 0.001). The mean CRT at presentation was 681.04 μm and reduced significantly to 369.81 μm after 2 years (P < 0.001). Mean mfERG responses within central 10° (ring1, ring2) showed statistically significant differences on P1 parameters in terms of response density and implicit time after 2 years in both CRVO and BRVO patients. Repeated intravitreal bevacizumab injections for macular edema due to either CRVO or BRVO resulted in long-term improvement of visual acuity, a reduction in CRT and statistically significant changes in the mfERG responses with nondemonstrable toxic effects on the central fovea.     

Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab combined with verteporfin photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To report the outcome for eyes treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab combined with verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). STUDY DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Interventional, consecutive, retrospective case series including 40 eyes of 40 patients with newly diagnosed juxtafoveal or subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD. METHODS: The charts of patients treated with a 1.25-mg intravitreal injection of bevacizumab followed by PDT within a 2-week period were reviewed. Main outcome measures were visual acuity stabilization (defined as no change or a gain in visual acuity) and need for retreatment. RESULTS: Thirty-three (83%) of 40 eyes had stabilization of visual acuity. Mean improvement in visual acuity was 1.73 lines. Twenty-six eyes (65%) required only a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab combined with PDT. Of the 23 eyes with 12 months of follow-up, 17 (74%) had stabilization of visual acuity, while 9 (40%) had improvement in visual acuity (mean, 1.22 Snellen lines). Eleven eyes (48%) required only a single combined treatment for CNV resolution at the 12-month follow-up. Fifteen (88%) of 17 eyes with only 6 months of follow-up required only a single combined treatment. There were no complications such as endophthalmitis, uveitis, or ocular hypertension. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that eyes treated with both intravitreal injection of bevacizumab and PDT require none to a minimal number of re-treatments to have stabilization of vision, even at 12 months of follow-up. Further investigation with large controlled trials is warranted to outline the appropriate treatment paradigm for combination therapy.     

Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for macular oedema owing to retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To assess the long-term safety and efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection in the management of macular oedema caused by central, hemi-, and branch retinal vein occlusion (CRVO, HRVO, or BRVO). METHODS: This prospective, interventional case series included 13 patients (13 eyes) with retinal vein occlusion and macular oedema. They received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Follow-up was for 1 year with repeat injections where appropriate. Outcome measures were visual acuity and macular thickness measured using ocular coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: There were four patients with CRVO, one with HRVO, and eight with BRVO (13 eyes). Mean duration of symptoms before intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection was 6.8 months (SD 4.5 months). Eight eyes (62%) responded well with improved visual acuity and macular thickness 1-3 months postinjection. All eight eyes developed recurrent macular oedema and five received repeat injections. Three patients declined a second injection. No improvement in visual acuity or OCT macular thickness was seen after the second injection with visual acuity returning to baseline levels at 1-year follow-up. Three eyes (23%) showed no response to the initial injection (no improvement in macular thickness or visual acuity). Seven patients (54%) had a rise in intraocular pressure with six (46%) requiring treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide is effective as a short-term treatment of macular oedema owing to retinal vein occlusion, improving both visual acuity and macular thickness. However, this effectiveness is not maintained after 1 year despite repeat injections.     

曲安奈德玻璃体腔注射治疗视网膜分支静脉阻塞继发黄斑水肿

目的:观察玻璃体腔注射曲安奈德(tviamcinolone ace-tonide,TA)治疗视网膜分支静脉阻塞(branch retinal vein occusion,BRVO)继发黄斑水肿的疗效。方法:经眼底检查、荧光眼底血管造影(FFA)、光学相干断层扫描(OCT)检查确诊的BRVO继发黄斑水肿22例(22眼)行玻璃体腔曲安奈德注射,治疗后随访(4.2±0.4)mo,对比治疗前及治疗后1,3mo视力、眼压、眼底、FFA表现、OCT所显示黄斑水肿高度以及黄斑中心凹阈值。结果:治疗的22眼中19眼(82%)视力明显提高,3眼(14%)视力不变,治疗前平均视力0.10±0.06,治疗后1,3mo平均视力分别为0.25±0.12、0.28±0.13,黄斑中心凹厚度(OCT)治疗前平均厚度(519.0±137.5)μm,治疗后1,3mo平均厚度分别为(256.4±68.3)μm、(239.4±52.2)μm,黄斑中心凹阈值(dB):治疗前(18.8±4.2)dB,治疗后1,3mo分别为(24.0±6.0)dB、(24.6±5.2)dB,治疗前后比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。22眼中有6眼(27%)治疗后暂时性眼压升高,经局部抗青光眼药物治疗后恢复正常。5例(23%)患者2次注药。结论:玻璃体腔注射TA在短期内可有效改善BRVO继发黄斑水肿,但也要注意对原发病治疗。     

Arteriovenous sheathotomy for persistent macular edema in branch retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of arteriovenous (AV) sheathotomy with internal limiting membrane peeling for persistent or recurrent macular edema after intravitreal triamcinolone injection and/or laser photocoagulation in branch retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: Twenty-two eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) with recurrent macular edema underwent vitrectomy with AV sheathotomy and internal limiting membrane peeling. All eyes had previous intravitreal triamcinolone injection and/or laser photocoagulation for macular edema. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) before and after surgery were compared. RESULTS: The mean preoperative BCVA (log MAR) were 0.79 +/- 0.29 and postoperative BCVA (log MAR) at 3 months was 0.57 +/- 0.33. And improvement of visual acuity > or = 2 lines was observed in 10 eyes (45%). The mean preoperative fovea thickness measured by OCT was 595.22 +/- 76.83 microm (510-737 microm) and postoperative fovea thickness was 217.60 +/- 47.33 microm (164-285 microm). CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy with AV sheathotomy can be one treatment option for the patients with recurrent macular edema in BRVO.     

Early effects of systemic and intravitreal bevacizumab (avastin) therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the early treatment response following systemic and intravitreal bevacizumab therapy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective cohort study 12 eyes with neovascular AMD were treated with 5 mg/kg systemic bevacizumab, and 13 eyes with 1 mg intravitreal bevacizumab. Systemic therapy was given three times at 2-week intervals, intravitreal therapy up to three times at 4-week intervals. Patients were evaluated according to best corrected visual acuity (VA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) at baseline as well as at week 1, week 4 and week 12 after therapy. Fluorescein angiography (FA) was performed at baseline and week 12. RESULTS: Systemic and intravitreal bevacizumab therapy showed a treatment response within one week. Visual acuity improved at week 1 by 4.9 letters from baseline in the systemic and by 6.9 letters in the intravitreal treatment group. Central retinal thickness (CRT), as measured by OCT decreased by 51.9 microm and 176.4 microm, respectively. At month 3 a persistent treatment effect was detectable. Mean gain in visual acuity was 11 letters in the systemic and 8.3 letters in the intravitreal group, CRT had decreased by 100 microm and 153.8 microm, respectively. Leakage as evaluated by FA was significantly reduced or absent in all patients. CONCLUSION: The early treatment responses following systemic and intravitreal bevacizumab appear to be similar. Both groups show improvement in VA and decrease in CRT within 1 week and up to 3 months. Long-term follow-up is required to evaluate the safety and treatment durability of both treatment modalities using bevacizumab.