title: Intravitreal bevacizumab in central retinal vein occlusion: 18-month results of a prospective clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the long-term visual results in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) following repeated intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (IVB).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen patients (aged 34 to 79 years) with a duration of CRVO of 2 weeks to 6 months (mean 2.5 months) had a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 0.05 to 0.4 (mean 0.13) as determined by Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart. Clinical examination was carried out at baseline and every 6 to 8 weeks. Intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg) was given every 6 weeks during the first 6 months, and after that at the discretion of the attending physician.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 96 IVB (average 7.4/patient) were given: 50 IVB during the first 6 months, 28 from 6 to 12 months, and 18 from 12 to 18 months. Average BCVA had improved 15 ETDRS letters at 3 months, 24 letters at 6 months, 24 letters at 12 months, and 18 letters at 18 months (p<0.05). Eight patients (62%) had gained >15 ETDRS letters at 12 months, and 7 subjects (54%) >15 ETDRS letters at 18 months. Foveal thickness decreased from 596 µm at baseline to 294 µm at 18 months (p<0.05) and mean IOP from 15.2 mmHg to 15.8 mmHg. No serious adverse events occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Following repeated IVB, there was a significant gain of BCVA during the follow-up of 18 months. To maintain visual gain, regular ophthalmologic examinations and repeated injections seem to be necessary as long as the disease is active.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Karolinska Institutet, St. Eriks Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. peep.algvere@sankterik.se
authors.forename: Peep V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Algvere
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.forename: Gunvor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: von Wendt
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seregard
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kvanta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006068:Gonioscopy; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019233:Retreatment; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab