Intravitreal Bevacizumab Treatment for Macular Edema due to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion in a Clinical Setting

Purpose: To report the functional and anatomical outcome of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) treatment for macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in a clinical setting. Methods: The files of 45 patients treated with IVB for BRVO-induced macular edema at a tertiary medical center in 2007-2010 were reviewed. All received three loading doses (1.25 mg) and were followed every 6 weeks. Treatment was repeated for persistent or recurrent edema. If the edema did not resolve after 4-6 injections, grid laser photocoagulation was performed. Results: Mean patient age was 70.7 years (SD 8.5); mean follow-up time, 18.8 months (SD 8.3); mean number of injections, 8.8 (SD 3.8). Fourteen patients (33%) received grid laser treatment before bevacizumab and 23 (51%) after. Mean logMAR visual acuity (VA) was 0.63 (SD 0.43) before treatment (Snellen, 20/140) and 0.4 (SD 0.43) (Snellen, 20/70) after (p < 0.0005). Corresponding central macular thickness (CMT) values were 382.2 microns (SD 155.6) and 320.5 microns (SD 172.8) (p= 0.028). Positive correlations were found between initial VA and initial and final CMT (p = 0.004) and between gain in VA and reduction in CMT (p = 0.03). There was no statistically significant difference in mean initial or final VA and CMT between patients who received grid laser treatment before or during the study and those who did not. Conclusions: IVB treatment improves visual function and reduces CMT in patients with BRVO-induced macular edema.