Intravitreal bevacizumab treatment for refractory diabetic macular edema.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to report the short-term clinical and angiographic outcomes after an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in eyes with refractory diabetic macular edema.


METHODS
Patients who had been treated with both grid-laser photocoagulation and intravitreal trimacinolone acetonide injections for diabetic macular edema received intravitreal bevacizumab (0.125 mg/0.05 mL). Snellen visual acuity testing and fluorescien angiography were performed before and 1 month after the injection for each patient.


RESULTS
Seventeen (17) eyes of 16 patients were included in the study. All patients completed 6 weeks of follow-up. Visual acuity improved in 12 eyes (70%) and remained the same in 5 eyes (30%). Eight (8) eyes (47%) revealed a marked improvement of macular edema, 6 eyes (35%) revealed mild improvement, and 3 eyes (18%) had no change. None of the patients developed local or systemic adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab may be effective in the treatment of refractory diabetic edema unresponsive to laser photocoagulation and an intravitreal triamcinolone injection.
Ornek
Kemal
K
Department of Ophthalmology, Krkkale University, School of Medicine, Krkkale, Turkey. kemalornek@hotmail.com
Ornek
Nurgül
N
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab