title: [Bevacizumab for the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retinal vein occlusion often leads to macular edema as a result of an elevated level of intravitreal VEGF. We report on the anatomic and functional results after intravitreal bevacizumab injections in patients with retinal vein occlusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, 18 patients with central, and 22 patients with branch retinal vein occlusion, all of whom had persistent macular edema (>300 microm) received 2.5 mg intravitreal bevacizumab. ETDRS visual acuity, ophthalmic examination and stratus OCT were performed at baseline, 1 week after injection and then monthly. Further injections were given every 6 weeks in patients with persistent or recurring macular edema.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings did not deteriorate in any of the 40 patients. The injections (mean of 2.6+/-1.4 injections/patient) were very well tolerated in all cases during a mean follow-up of 23+/-13 weeks. On the last visit, 73.3% of patients with central retinal vein occlusion and 76.5% of those with branch retinal vein occlusion were found to have significantly improved visual acuity (by at least 3 lines). Mean central retinal thickness had decreased from 921+/-264 to 239+/-66.2 microm in patients with central retinal vein occlusion, and from 678+/-221 to 236+/-78 microm in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neither intraocular nor systemic side-effects were observed in this study after repeated intravitreal injections of 2.5 mg bevacizumab. Current results suggest that intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy is a promising option in macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion.
authors: Schwerpunkt Retinologie, Universitätsaugenklinik Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Deutschland.
authors: K B
authors: KB
authors: Schaal
authors: A E
authors: AE
authors: Höh
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Scheuerle
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Schütt
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Dithmar
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab