title: Treatment of macular edema because of occlusive vasculitis with bevacizumab (avastin): efficacy of three consecutive monthly injections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab, administered in a series of three monthly injections followed by a period of observation, in the treatment of cystoid macular edema because of occlusive vasculitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective review of 13 consecutive eyes of 13 patients with cystoid macular edema because of occlusive vasculitis, which had been unresponsive to other medications and were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg). The evaluation consisted of a complete ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity measurement, ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography. The eyes received a series of 3 monthly injections followed by a 3-month observation period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant improvement in foveal thickness and visual acuity was obtained after the first injection, which increased after the second and the third injections and was maintained for 1.5 months after the last injection. The 2 parameters returned to the baseline values 3 months after the last treatment. There were no ocular or systemic adverse effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab seems to be well tolerated and is associated with short-term improvement of visual acuity and decreased retinal thickness in patients with cystoid macular edema because of vasculitis that is resistant to conventional therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nuti
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Traversi
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marigliani
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balestrazzi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alegente
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martone
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malandrini
authors.forename: Napoleone
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.forename: Cosimo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mazzotta
authors.forename: Gian Marco
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Tosi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D031300:Retinal Vasculitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; 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