title: Intravitreal Avastin for macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) in eyes with macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight consecutive patients (28 patients, 29 eyes, 8 CRVO, 21 BRVO) were enrolled in the study. Three intravitreal injections of 1 mg bevacizumab (0.04 ml) were administered at 4-week intervals; further retreatment was based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings. Follow-up examinations were done at days 1, 7 and 28 and at monthly intervals thereafter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean baseline central retinal thickness (CRT) in OCT was 558 microm (range 353-928 microm) and mean BCVA was 20/100. One day after the first injection, CRT significantly decreased to 401 microm (p<0.01). Three injections reduced macular oedema to 328 microm CRT (p<0.01) and improved BCVA to 20/50 (p<0.01). At 6 months, CRT was 382 microm (p<0.01), and BCVA was stable at 20/50(-2) (p<0.01), FA showed no evidence of increased avascular zones.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab appear to be a safe and effective therapy in the treatment of macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion.
authors.affiliation: University Eye Hospital Zürich, Frauenklinikstrasse 24, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kriechbaum
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Michels
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Prager
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Georgopoulos
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Funk
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Geitzenauer
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Erfurth
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications*; 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
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab