Bromfenac alone or with single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab or triamcinolone acetonide for treatment of uveitic macular edema

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of bromfenac drops alone or with a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (IVB) or triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) in the treatment of uveitic macular edema (UME).

Design

Comparative case series.

Study Participant

Sixty-seven eyes (of 55 patients) with UME that received either bromfenac drops alone (n?=?34), IVB plus bromfenac (n?=?21) or IVTA plus bromfenac (n?=?12).

Methods

Chart review of patients at the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI) was done. Eyes that received either bromfenac drops alone (Br), IVB plus bromfenac (IVB/Br) or IVTA plus bromfenac (IVTA/Br), with follow-up of up to 3 months, were included.

Main Outcome Measure

Visual acuity.

Results

There was no statistically significant effect seen in VA or CMT in the Br group, with 17 of 34 eyes (50 %) needing re-injection before 3 months of follow-up. Mean change in CMT at 4 weeks for the Br group was 5.06 µm. Compared to baseline, both the IVTA/Br and IVB/Br groups showed significant decrease in CMT and improvement in VA at 1 and 3 months follow-up. There was also a continuous decrease in CMT up to 3 months of follow-up with the IVTA/Br group, which was found to be significant in comparison with the IVB/Br group; this trend was not seen in the IVB/Br group at 3 months. The greatest mean change in CMT at 1 month was seen in the IVTA/Br group (154.33 ±178.22 µm), and this was statistically significant in comparison with the other groups (p?=?<0.0001). However, in terms of mean change in VA, there was no change in the Br group (0.01?±?0.11 VA logMAR), and only 0.12?±?0.19 and 0.15?±?0.20 in the IVB/Br and IVTA/Br groups, respectively.

Conclusion

IVB and IVTA are both effective in improving VA and decreasing CMT up to 3 months. Bromfenac is ineffective alone for UME treatment, but may have a synergistic effect with IVTA in reducing CMT up to 3 months of follow-up.     

Matrix γ-carboxyglutamate protein and Fetuin-A, in wet type age-related macular degeneration

AIM:To compare therapeutic effects of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) versus intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections for bilateral diffuse diabetic macular edema (DDME).METHODS: Forty eyes of 20 patients with bilateral DDME participated in this study. For each patient, 4 mg/0.1 mL IVTA was injected to one eye and 2.5 mg/0.1 mL IVB was injected to the other eye. The effects of injection for diabetic macular edema (DME) were evaluated using best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) by applanation tonometer. Patients underwent eye examinations, including BCVA, CMT, and IOP at pre-injection, 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24wk after injection. During the follow-up, second injections were performed to eyes which have CMT greater than 400 µm at 12wk for salvage therapy.RESULTS: BCVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) at pre-injection, 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24wk after injection was 0.71±0.19, 0.62±0.23, 0.63±0.12, 0.63±0.13, 0.63±0.14 and 0.61±0.24 in the IVTA group and 0.68±0.25, 0.61±0.22, 0.60±0.24, 0.62±0.25, 0.65±0.26 and 0.59±0.25 in the IVB group, respectively. CMT (μm) at pre-injection, 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24wk after injection was 544±125, 383±96, 335±87, 323±87, 333±92, 335±61 in the IVTA group and 514±100, 431±86, 428±107, 442±106, 478±112, 430±88 in the IVB group respectively. Reduction ratios of mean CMT were 29% at 1wk, 38% at 4wk, 40% at 8wk, 38% at 12wk, and 38% at 24wk in the IVTA group. Second IVTA injections were performed to the 6 eyes (30%) at 12wk. Reduction ratios of mean CMT were 16% at 1wk, 17% at 4wk, 14% at 8wk, 7% at 12wk, and 16% at 24wk in the IVB group. Second IVB injections were performed to the 15 eyes (75%) at 12wk.CONCLUSION:This study showed earlier and more frequent macular edema recurrences in the eyes treated with bevacizumab compared with the ones treated with triamcinolone acetonide. Triamcinolone acetonide was found to provide more efficient and long-standing effect in terms of reducing CMT compared with the bevacizumab.     

Systematic review of intravitreal bevacizumab injection for treatment of primary diabetic macular oedema

Purpose: To compare intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection versus macular photocoagulation (MPC) or a combination of intravitreal bevacizumab and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVB/IVTA) injection in improving visual acuity (VA) of patients with primary diabetic macular oedema (DMO). Methods: The following databases were searched: Medline (1950 – December week 3, 2009), The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2009), EMBASE (up to 24 December 2009), and the TRIP database (up to 23 December 2009), using no language or other limits. Randomized controlled trials were included that consisted of patients with primary DMO (not with refractory DMO), those comparing IVB injection with MPC or IVB/IVTA injection, those reporting VA outcomes, and those having a minimum follow‐up of 6 weeks. Results: In the four randomized clinical trials comparing IVB injection with MPC, IVB injection demonstrated significantly greater improvement in VA at 6 weeks, but not at 12 weeks. In the three randomized clinical trials comparing IVB injection with IVB/IVTA, IVB injection demonstrated greater improvement in VA at 6 weeks but the benefit was again no longer significant at 12 weeks. No adjunctive effect of IVTA was demonstrated. Conclusions: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection is effective in improving VA in patients with primary DMO for 6 weeks, but the benefits are no longer present 12 weeks following the injection.     

首选玻璃体腔注射贝伐单抗与曲安奈德对比治疗视网膜分支静脉阻塞继发黄斑水肿疗效及安全性差异的荟萃分析

目的 综合评价玻璃体腔注射贝伐单抗（IVB）与玻璃体腔注射曲安奈德（IVT）对比治疗视网膜分支静脉阻塞（BRVO）继发黄斑水肿时的疗效与安全性的差异。 设计 荟萃分析（Meta分析）。研究对象 Medline（1966-2012年）、EMbase（1966-2011年）、Cochrane图书馆（2011年）及中国生物医学文献数据库（CBM）（1979-2011年）有关贝伐单抗与曲安奈德对比治疗BRVO继发黄斑水肿的临床对照研究文献资料。 方法 采用Cochrane系统评价的方法,检索上述文献,按照纳入和排除标准限定研究对象,通过Jadad评分量表进行文献质量评估后,使用Cochrane协作网提供的RevMan 5.1统计软件进行Meta分析,以获得两种治疗BRVO继发黄斑水肿的疗效及安全性是否有差异的相关证据。 主要指标 中央黄斑厚度（CMT）,最佳矫正视力（BCVA）,不良反应。 结果 共纳入IVB与IVT对比治疗BRVO继发黄斑水肿的临床对照研究8项（共376眼）。Meta分析结果显示,首选IVB组与首选IVT组的患者CMT降低幅度的差异为12.76 μm（95%CI,-7.74 ~ 33.26 μm,P=0.22）;提高BCVA幅度的差异为0.11 （95%CI,-0.00~0.23,P=0.06）。首选IVT组发生不良反应的比例是首选IVB组的20倍（95%CI,8.3~50倍,P=0.000）。 结论 采用首选IVB与IVT对比治疗BRVO继发黄斑水肿时,在降低CMT及提高BCVA方面两者疗效相仿,但安全性方面IVT明显较IVB差。二者间谁更适合作为BRVO继发黄斑水肿的首选治疗,尚需更多前瞻性大样本的临床随机对照试验数据支持。（眼科,2013,22：62-66）     

Three intravitreal bevacizumab versus two intravitreal triamcinolone injections in recent-onset branch retinal vein occlusion

Purpose

To evaluate the effects of repeated intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (IVB) versus triamcinolone acetonide (IVT) in the treatment of acute branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Methods

In this randomized clinical trial, 86 eyes with recent-onset (less than 12?weeks) BRVO were included. Participants were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: (1) IVB group (43 eyes), patients who received three monthly injections of 1.25?mg of IVB, and (2) IVT group (43 eyes), patients who received two injections of 2?mg IVT 2?months apart. Patients were examined at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6?months after enrollment. Main outcome measure was change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 6?months. Secondary outcome measures were central macular thickness (CMT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) changes at month 6.

Results

Mean BCVA improved significantly up to 6?months in both groups from 0.68?±?0.25 to 0.31?±?0.21 logMAR (logarithm of minimum angle of resolution) in the IVB group, and from 0.67?±?0.29 to 0.46?±?0.31 logMAR in the IVT group (P?P?=?0.013) and 6 (P?P?=?0.031) at final visit. Dividing the cases into ischemic and non-ischemic types, a significant difference was noted only in the ischemic cases regarding BCVA improvement and CMT reduction in favor of the IVB group. Mean IOP rise was significantly higher in the IVT group at all visits.

Conclusions

Both 3-times-monthly IVB injections and 2-times IVT injections with a 2-month interval could be effective for improving BCVA and CMT in cases with recent-onset BRVO up to 6?months. However, considering the better visual and anatomic outcomes after IVB injections and the potential complications of IVT injections, we would recommend prescheduled repeated IVB injections for such cases. The favorable responses were more pronounced in the ischemic types of BRVO in this trial; nevertheless, this should be confirmed in larger studies.     

Use of bevacizumab for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion: a systematic review

Introduction

This systematic review assesses the effectiveness of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) versus a comparison group in the treatment of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)-associated macular edema, and explores its effects on visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness (CMT).

Methods

The authors searched the following databases: Medline (1950–October week 3, 2011), The Cochrane Library (Issue 10, 2011), EMBASE (up to 24 October 2011), and the TRIP Database (up to 24 October 2011), using no language or other limits. Trials that were included consisted of patients with BRVO-associated macular edema, those comparing a 1.25?mg IVB injection with a comparison group, those reporting both VA and CMT outcomes, and those having a minimum follow-up of 4?weeks.

Results

In the four trials comparing IVB with a comparison group, IVB was effective in improving VA and CMT values in the long-term (12?weeks) in patients with BRVO-associated macular edema. Furthermore, statistically significant improvements in VA in the short-term (4?weeks) could also be seen.

Discussion

Clinicians should use this review as an indicator that IVB is effective in improving VA and CMT values in the long-term in patients with BRVO-associated macular edema. It is important to note, however, that statistically significant improvements in VA in the short term could be seen. This review's main aim was to serve as an evidence base for potentially using other modalities, such as IVB, which seems to be reserved for certain cases.     

Efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone for the treatment of macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion in eyes with or without grid laser photocoagulation

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of primary and secondary (following grid laser photocoagulation) intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) injection for the treatment of macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: Eyes with macular edema secondary to BRVO and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) worse than 20/40 were included. Eyes eligible for Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion Study (BVOS) guidelines received grid laser treatment first. Those that were not improved at least two lines following grid laser or that did not meet those guidelines received 4 mg IVTA injection. The efficacy of IVTA treatment was assessed by analyzing the change in BCVA and reduction in central macular thickness (CMT) measured by optical coherence tomography. Intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes and other complications were recorded. RESULTS: The data from 37 eyes were included; in 12 of them IVTA injection was given after grid laser while 25 of them received IVTA as a primary treatment. Mean follow-up was 9.6 +/- 4.5 months. BCVA was 0.06 +/- 0.30 and 0.17 +/- 0.50 in the primary and secondary IVTA injection groups, respectively. In the primary injection group, there was a statistically significant gain in BCVA throughout the follow-up (P < 0.05), while a small increase in BCVA was noted only at the third month visit in the secondary IVTA injection group (P = 0.04). Average CMT were 434.8 +/- 122.1microm and 389.0 +/- 171.9 microm before IVTA injection in the two groups, respectively. In the primary IVTA injection group, CMT decreased at 1 month following IVTA injection and remained statistically significant until the sixth month visit (P < 0.05). In the secondary IVTA injection group, a slight reduction in CMT was noted only in the first month visit (P = 0.02). Pre-IVTA BCVA was found to be the single statistically significant predictor of BCVA gain following IVTA injection. In 8 patients (21.6%), the IOP increased above 25 mmHg postoperatively, and was successfully managed by medical treatment. Endophthalmitis did not develop in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: IVTA injection produced a significant reduction of macular edema in eyes with BRVO either with or without prior grid laser treatment. Reduction of CMT increased the BCVA in most of the eyes receiving IVTA primarily, while only a slight improvement of BCVA was found in eyes with prior grid laser. The IVTA effect was transient. Larger studies are necessary to find the best approach (either grid laser or IVTA) to patients with macular edema associated with BRVO.     

首选玻璃体腔注射贝伐单抗或曲安奈德对比治疗视网膜中央静脉阻塞继发黄斑水肿疗效及安全性差异的荟萃分析

目的 综合评价首选玻璃体腔注射贝伐单抗（IVB）或曲安奈德（IVT）对比治疗视网膜中央静脉阻塞（CRVO）继发黄斑水肿时的疗效与安全性的差异。 设计 荟萃分析。 研究对象 Medline（1966~2012年）、EMbase（1966~2011年）、Cochrane图书馆（2011年）及中国生物医学文献数据库CBM（1979~2011年）有关贝伐单抗或曲安奈德对比治疗CRVO继发黄斑水肿的临床对照研究文献资料。方法 采用Cochrane系统评价的方法,检索上述文献,按照纳入和排除标准限定研究对象,通过Jadad评分量表进行文献质量评估后,使用Cochrane协作网提供的RevMan 5.1统计软件进行Meta分析,以获得二者治疗CRVO继发黄斑水肿的疗效及安全性是否有差异的相关证据。 主要指标 中央黄斑厚度（CMT）,最佳矫正视力,不良反应。 结果 共纳入玻璃体腔注射贝伐单抗或曲安奈德对比治疗CRVO继发黄斑水肿的临床对照研究6项（共242眼）。Meta分析结果显示,首选IVB组与首选IVT组的患者CMT降低幅度的差异为-33.22 μm（95%CI： -74.85 μm~8.42 μm）（P=0.12）,提高BCVA幅度的差异为0.01 （95%CI： -0.13~0.14）（P=0.92）。首选IVB发生不良反应的比例低于首选IVT（合并比值比为0.03, 95%CI： 0.01~0.10）。结论 采用首选IVB与IVT对比治疗CRVO继发黄斑水肿时,在降低CMT及提高BCVA方面二者疗效相仿,但安全性方面IVT明显较IVB差。二者间谁更适合作为CRVO继发黄斑水肿的首选治疗,尚需更多前瞻性大样本的临床随机对照试验数据支持。     

Long-term evaluation of patients treated with dexamethasone intravitreal implant for macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion

Purpose

To evaluate the long-term visual prognosis and complications of patients who received intravitreal Ozurdex injections for the treatment of macular edema (ME) due to retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Methods

A total of 17 patients who received Ozurdex injections in our institution as part of the GENEVA study were recalled for examination. Recorded parameters included final visual acuity (VA), final retinal thickness by optical coherence tomography, persistence of ME, and the occurrence of any complications.

Results

Mean follow-up time was 50.5 months. Patients with branch RVO (BRVO) had a more favorable prognosis than central RVO (CRVO), and their mean VA had improved significantly, whereas the mean VA for the patients with CRVO did not improve significantly. Retinal thickness had reduced significantly in the whole group and in each subgroup separately. Complications included 10 patients with cataract progression, 1 with elevated intraocular pressure, and 1 with neovascularization and vitreous hemorrhage.

Conclusions

This is the first reported long-term evaluation of patients treated with Ozurdex. Our results indicate that it has favorable long-term safety profile, and may have a beneficial effect on the visual prognosis in BRVO even in the absence of continuous treatment. Further research is required to establish the optimal retreatment schedule for Ozurdex.     

Arteriovenous crossing sheathotomy versus intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection for treatment of macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To compare the functional and anatomical outcomes of arteriovenous (AV) sheathotomy and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) injection in the treatment of macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: Forty eyes of 40 patients with macular edema secondary to BRVO were randomized into two treatment groups. A total of 20 patients received AV sheathotomy (sheathotomy group), and the second group of 20 patients was treated with IVTA (IVTA group). Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity (VA) score, total macular volume measured, and foveal thickness by 3rd generation optical coherence tomography (OCT3) were evaluated as main outcome measurements. RESULTS: The average changes in ETDRS scores, total macular volumes, and foveal thicknesses compared to baseline values, were significant 3 months and 6 months after treatment in both groups (P < 0.05, paired t-test), but only the IVTA group showed significant improvements 1 month after treatment. The between-group differences in average ETDRS score, total macular volume, and foveal thickness changes were significantly better at 1 month after treatment in the ITVA group (P = 0.026, P < 0.001, P = 0.001, respectively, Student's t-test), at which time IVTA patients had better vision and anatomical outcomes than did those in the sheathotomy group. CONCLUSIONS: After either AV sheathotomy or IVTA treatment, patients with macular edema secondary to BRVO showed similar functional and anatomical outcomes 6 months later. When the cost and the risks of vitreoretinal surgery are considered, IVTA treatment may be a better treatment option, as the drug yields better short-term outcomes.     

Treatment of macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion with single or multiple intravitreal injections of bevacizumab

Purpose  

We examined the predictive factors for final visual acuity (VA) with macular edema of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) treated by intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (IVB) and examined the differences between patients without recurrent macular edema due to BRVO after a single IVB and patients treated with multiple IVB because of recurrent macular edema.     

视网膜静脉阻塞与血液中血小板相关参数及高密度脂蛋白胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平之间的关系

目的　探讨视网膜静脉阻塞（retinal vein occlusion,RVO）与血液中血小板相关参数及高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C)水平之间的关系。方法　选取我院2017年5月至2019年8月收治的113例113眼RVO患者作为研究对象。将研究对象中30例 30眼视网膜中央静脉阻塞(CRVO)患者作为CRVO组，将其余83例83眼视网膜分支静脉阻塞(BRVO)患者作为BRVO组。此外，将研究对象按年龄分为年轻组（≤50岁）和老年组（>50岁），分别为23例和90例；选取同期排除眼底病的患者112例112眼作为对照组。抽取各组患者空腹外周静脉血9 mL，采用Sysmex^@XN血液分析仪测定患者血液中血小板相关参数，包括:血小板计数(PLT）、血小板压积(PCT)、大型血小板比率（P-LCR)、血小板分布宽度（PDW)和血小板平均体积（MPV)等。采取终点法测量患者血液中HDL-C和LDL-C含量。结果　CRVO组、BRVO组及对照组患者血小板相关参数中PLT和PCT，差异均无统计学意义（均为P＞0.05）。BRVO组和CRVO组MPV均较对照组高，差异均有统计学意义(均为P<0.05)。CRVO组PDW较对照组高，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,但BRVO组与CRVO组和对照组比较，差异均无统计学意义（均为P＞0.05）。CRVO组和BRVO组P-LCR含量较对照组高，差异均有统计学意义（均为P<0.05）；BRVO组P-LCR与CRVO组比较，差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。BRVO组患者血液中HDL-C含量比对照组降低，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05），而CRVO组与对照组和BRVO组间差异均无统计学意义（均为P＞0.05）。三组间LDL-C含量比较，差异均无统计学意义（均为P＞0.05）。年轻组患者PLT较老年组高，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）；年轻组和老年组患者PCT、MPV、PDW、P-LCR以及HDL-C、LDL-C含量比较，差异均无统计学意义（均为P＞0.05）。结论　人体血液中血小板相关参数及HDL-C水平与RVO的发病存在密切关系。     

视网膜静脉阻塞患者视力预后相关因素分析

目的研究各型视网膜静脉阻塞患者的视力预后、并发症及视力降低的相关因素.方法视网膜静脉阻塞患者913例(944只眼),年龄15～89岁,平均(52.8±11.9)岁;平均随访时间20.7个月.患者所有临床资料均输入计算机,应用SPSS软件进行统计学处理.结果 (1)按部位分型总干阻塞406只眼,占43.0%;半侧阻塞60只眼,占6.4%;分支阻塞478只眼,占50.6%.(2)按缺血分型944只眼中,缺血型633只眼,占67.1%;非缺血型311只眼,占32.9%.(3)患者视力预后各型静脉阻塞患者治疗前、后视力比较,总干阻塞和半侧阻塞的差异无显著性(t=1.45,1.62;均P>0.05),分支阻塞的差异有显著意义(t=7.89,P<0.05).(4) 患者初诊视力水平与预后3种类型静脉阻塞患者视力预后均差;患者的初诊视力水平均与视力预后密切相关(χ2=175.261,21.357,106.408;均P<0.01).(5) 静脉阻塞导致的低视力和盲目率各型静脉阻塞患者的低视力与盲目率比较,差异有显著意义(χ2=85.251,P<0.01).(6) 缺血型与非缺血型患者视力预后比较视网膜静脉总干阻塞、半侧阻塞、分支阻塞患者中缺血型与非缺血型比较,差异均有显著意义(χ2=157.819,19.637,56.737;P<0.01).(7)导致静脉阻塞的危险因素高血压占57.8%,动脉硬化占67.4%,血液黏稠度增高占24.6%,原发性青光眼占1.5%,糖尿病占6.2%.(8) 静脉阻塞患者并发症的发生率黄斑囊样水肿占46.7%,视网膜和(或)视乳头新生血管占21.5%,玻璃体出血占11.4%,新生血管性青光眼占4.2%.其中总干阻塞发生新生血管性青光眼39只眼,占总干阻塞的9.6%,占半侧阻塞的1.7%.(9)并发症导致的低视力和盲目率低视力者中,黄斑囊样水肿占37.9%,新生血管占29.9%;盲目者中,黄斑囊样水肿占19.5%,新生血管占23.0%.新生血管性青光眼导致的盲目者中,视力<0.05者占95.0%.结论视网膜静脉阻塞的致盲率较高,影响视力预后的最重要因素是缺血型视网膜静脉阻塞.初诊视力水平与视力预后关系密切,黄斑囊样水肿、新生血管及新生血管性青光眼为致盲的重要原因.     

Aqueous levels of erythropoietin in acute retinal vein occlusion with macular edema

AIM: To investigate the aqueous erythropoietin (EPO) levels and associated factors in patients with acute retinal vein occlusion (RVO).METHODS:The aqueous EPO level was measured in patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to acute branched retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) or central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Aqueous fluid from cataract patients served as the control. We also evaluated whether aqueous level of EPO was associated with factors such as serum EPO level, non-perfusion area, central macular thickness (CMT), and arterio-venous (AV) transit timeRESULTS:Twenty-seven RVO patients (16 BRVO, 11 CRVO) and 9 control subjects were enrolled in the study. The aqueous EPO level (mU/mL) was higher in RVO (68.2±54.3) than that in the control subjects (12.9±5.9). More specifically, the aqueous EPO level was higher in CRVO (118.9±52.1) than that in BRVO (33.3±10.8). However, no differences were found in serum EPO levels among three groups. CMT in RVO patients had a positive correlation with the aqueous EPO level (r=0.66). Also, in terms of non-perfusion area, the aqueous EPO levels were more elevated in the ischemic subgroup than in the non-ischemic subgroup in both BRVO and CRVO.CONCLUSION:Aqueous EPO levels are elevated in patients with macular edema secondary to recent onset RVO. Patients with CRVO have higher EPO levels than those with BRVO. The aqueous EPO level in RVO has a positive correlation with CMT and is associated with non-perfusion area. These results suggest that the aqueous EPO level could be associated with retinal ischemia and may be involved in the pathogenesis of macular edema secondary to RVO.     

The Variable Efficacy of Intravitreal Bevacizumab and Triamcinolone Acetonide for Cystoid Macular Edema Due to Radiation Retinopathy

Abstract

Background: Both intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone have been shown to be effective in treating macular edema secondary to VEGF-mediated disease. The purpose of this study is to describe the variable effects of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) and triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) in the treatment of macular edema secondary to radiation retinopathy. Methods: Retrospective, nonrandomized, interventional case series. Charts of five patients with macular edema due to radiation retinopathy who received IVB with subsequent IVTA were reviewed. Clinical examination, Snellen visual acuity (VA), and central macular thickness (CMT) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) were examined. Main outcome measures included VA and CMT. Results: Of the five patients reviewed, patient 1 demonstrated complete resolution of macular edema both clinically and by OCT with IVB after the first two injections with a decrease in CMT to 243 and 284?µm from a baseline CMT of 340?µm. However, response diminished following successive injections and the patient was switched to IVTA with a complete response. Mean CMT was 249?µm following four injections of IVTA and vision improved 3 lines. Patients 2 and 3 demonstrated a partial response to IVB with a mean CMT of 362 and 451?µm from 436 and 596?µm, respectively. They similarly had a partial response to IVTA with a mean CMT of 363 and 433?µm from 460 and 429?µm. There was no improvement in vision. Patient 2 was then switched to a combination of IVB and IVTA with complete resolution of macular edema with a CMT of 299 and 289?µm following two treatments. Patients 4 and 5 failed to respond to IVB with a mean increase in CMT of 64.5 and 6?µm. Both responded well to IVTA with complete resolution of macular edema. Mean decrease in CMT was 146 and 183?µm with a mean CMT of 254 and 281?µm. Final vision was stable in patient 4 and improved 3 lines from 20/100 to 20/50 in patient 5. Conclusion: IVB and IVTA have variable effects on the reduction of macular edema due to radiation retinopathy. IVB appears to have an initial effect in reducing macular edema in some patients but after multiple injections there can be resistance to its effects. IVTA was effective in three of five patients with complete resolution of macular edema. The combination of IVB and IVTA completely resolved macular edema in one patient resistant to IVB or IVTA alone. The reason for this may be due to their different therapeutic mechanisms of action and consideration should therefore be given to their use in combination.     

Visual acuity following intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion

Purpose  

To study prognostic factors for visual acuity (VA) after intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) for macular edema (ME) associated with retinal vein occlusion (RVO), by evaluating the correlation between the final VA and VA at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months after the initial IVB.     

Recurrence of macular edema in retinal vein occlusions after treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis)

Objective

To evaluate the recurrence of macular edema (ME) in a mixed group of patients with branch (BRVO) and central (CRVO) retinal vein occlusion after early onset treatment with intravitreal injections of ranibizumab.

Design

Nonrandomized, uncontrolled prospective clinical trial.

Participants

Forty patients were enrolled in our study. Twenty-two patients had BRVO and 18 patients had CRVO.

Methods

All patients had a minimum follow-up of 12 months. All patients had fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) at presentation. The time period between RVO occurrences and initial examination and treatment was <1 month. Every patient was treated with 2 consecutive intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (0.5 mg) 1 month apart. Assessment was carried out on a monthly basis and injection was carried out if necessary, based on OCT findings.

Results

Recurrence of ME occurred in 13 patients (13/22, 59%) in the BRVO group, whereas in the CRVO group occurred in all patients (18/18, 100%). Mean time interval of these recurrences from last injection was 2.4 months and 1.2 months for BRVO and CRVO groups, respectively. Mean period of ME reabsorption was 2.5 months for the BRVO group and 3.5 months for the CRVO group.

Conclusions

Recurrent ME occurred in 77.5% of our patients. These recurrences occurred sooner, were more prominent and lasted longer in patients with CRVO.     

玻璃体腔注射Ranibizumab联合视网膜光凝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Ranibizumab(雷珠单抗)联合视网膜光凝术对视网膜分支静脉阻塞( branch retinal vein occlusion,BRVO)继发黄斑水肿的治疗效果。
　　方法：确诊为视网膜分支静脉阻塞继发性黄斑水肿的患者42例42眼,随机分为三组,每组14眼。单纯注药组给予玻璃体腔注射Ranibizumab 0.05 mL;单纯光凝组行黄斑格栅样光凝;联合治疗组先行玻璃体腔内注射Ranibizumab,再于注药1wk 后行黄斑格栅样光凝。观察三组治疗前和治疗后1,3,6 mo时患者的最佳矫正视力( BCVA)、黄斑区中心凹厚度( CMT)。
　　结果：三组在治疗前BCVA和CMT组间差异无显著性( P>0.05)。各组在治疗后1,3,6 mo的BCVA和CMT均优于治疗前,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。单纯注药组治疗后1,3,6mo 的 BCVA 和 CMT 变化有显著性差异( P<0.05),BCVA呈下降趋势,CMT呈增厚趋势;单纯光凝组和联合治疗组治疗后1,3,6 mo BCVA及CMT变化无显著性差异(P>0.05)。治疗后1,3,6mo,联合治疗组BCVA和CMT优于单纯注药组和单纯光凝组(P<0.05),治疗后3,6 mo,单纯光凝组BCVA和CMT优于单纯注药组(P<0.05)。
　　结论：玻璃体腔注射Ranibizumab联合视网膜光凝可以有效治疗视网膜分支静脉阻塞继发黄斑水肿,提高视力,相比单纯注药或者单纯光凝效果更稳定可靠。     

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.     

玻璃体腔内注射TA与雷珠单抗治疗CRVO继发黄斑水肿的对照研究

目的：比较曲安奈德(TA)与雷珠单抗(ranibizumab)治疗视网膜中央静脉阻塞(central retinal vein occlusion,CRVO)继发黄斑水肿的的临床疗效及安全性。

方法：回顾性分析继发黄斑水肿的CRVO患者40例40眼。其中20例20眼接受玻璃体腔注射TA(1mg,0.1mL)治疗,其余20例20眼接受玻璃体腔注射雷珠单抗(0.5mg,0.05mL)治疗。观察两组治疗前及治疗后1,2wk; 1,2,3,6mo患者最佳矫正视力、黄斑中心凹厚度(CMT)及眼压的改变。

结果：TA组及雷珠单抗组于玻璃体腔注药1,2wk; 1,2,3,6mo后最佳矫正视力较治疗前明显提高(P<0.05); 但两组之间无明显差异(P>0.05)。两组于玻璃体注药后1,2wk; 1,2,3,6mo,CMT较治疗前有明显降低(P<0.05),但两组之间无明显差异(P>0.05)。TA组玻璃体腔注药后2wk及4wk眼压较治疗前明显升高(P<0.05)。雷珠单抗组玻璃体腔注药后各时间点眼压均无明显升高(P>0.05)。注药后第1,2wk; 2,3,6mo,TA组眼压改变与雷珠单抗组无明显差异(P>0.05),注药后1mo,TA组眼压改变要明显高于雷珠单抗组(P<0.05)。

结论：玻璃体腔内注射雷珠单抗是目前CRVO继发黄斑水肿的有效而且安全的治疗手段。与TA相比其在提高最佳矫正视力及降低CMT的同时几乎不会发生眼部及全身并发症。