title: [Bevacizumab for treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion].
abstract: Application of VEGF inhibitors represents a treatment option for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion that targets the disease at the causal molecular level. First reports on intravitreal injections of bevacizumab show promising morphological and functional effects and demonstrate that bevacizumab is a potent antiedematous agent in this context. A significant reduction of the central retinal thickness followed by a rapid improvement of visual acuity may be achieved within days. In a pilot study with a review period of 3 months, we found a significant improvement of one or more lines in 93% and four or more lines in 27% of eyes. This was associated with a concomitant significant reduction in central retinal thickness, which, however, was not sustained by a single injection (64% reduction after 1 month and 28% after 3 months). No relevant adverse events were noted. The duration of action after intravitreal bevacizumab administration is currently unknown. Reinjections will be necessary to maintain a lasting beneficial effect. Prospective, controlled long-term studies are mandatory to develop standardized treatment protocols that allow a safe and effective application of this off-label therapy.
authors.affiliation: Abt. I, Universitätsaugenklinik Tübingen, Schleichstrasse 12, 72076 Tübingen. g.jaissle@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Jaissle
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ziemssen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Petermeier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Szurman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ladewig
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gelisken
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Völker
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Holz
authors.forename: K U
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Bartz-Schmidt
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014822:Vitreous Body
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab