Efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab in treating postoperative pseudophakic cystoid macular edema.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with cystoid macular edema (CME) after cataract surgery (Irvine-Gass syndrome).


METHODS
This retrospective case series comprised 16 eyes of 16 patients with CME after cataract surgery refractory to current standard treatment who received an injection of 1.25 mg intravitreal Avastin. The main outcome measures were visual acuity, retinal thickness on optical coherence tomography (OCT), and complications related to treatment.


RESULTS
The median duration of CME before treatment with intravitreal Avastin was 14 weeks (range 3 to 84 weeks). Although the mean retinal thickness decreased slightly after intravitreal Avastin, the mean visual acuity remained unchanged. Visual acuity improved by 2 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study lines in 1 patient, remained unchanged in 12 patients, and decreased by 2 lines in 2 patients. Repeated Avastin injections did not result in a better outcome. Other than mild ocular irritation, there were no adverse effects of the intravitreal injections.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal injection of Avastin, although safe, did not result in improved visual function in patients with postoperative CME. In contrast to findings in a previous case report, the beneficial effect of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition in Irvine-Gass syndrome was not observed.
Spitzer
Martin S
MS
University Eye Clinic Tuebingen, Centre of Ophthalmology, Eberhard-Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany.
Ziemssen
Focke
F
Yoeruek
Efdal
E
Petermeier
Katrin
K
Aisenbrey
Sabine
S
Szurman
Peter
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019591:Pseudophakia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D014822:Vitreous Body
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab