title: Meta-analysis of the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab in branch retinal vein occlusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To further evaluate the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for the treatment of branch retinal vein occlusion in a meta-analysis of previous studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pertinent publications were identified through systemic searches of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register up to July 2012. Data on central macular thickness and best-corrected visual acuity obtained at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment were extracted. Groups of patients receiving IVB were compared with control groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four randomized controlled and 3 comparative studies were included. A publication bias was not detected by funnel plots, the Egger method, or the Begg method. Best corrected visual acuity measured at 4 and 12 weeks after baseline increased significantly in the IVB groups as compared with the control groups [4 weeks: weighted mean deviation (WMD)=-0.09; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.12, -0.05; P<0.001; at 12 weeks: WMD=-0.21; 95% CI: -0.30, -0.12; P<0.001]. Similarly, reduction in central macular thickness at 12 weeks after baseline was significantly higher in the IVB groups than in the control groups (WMD=-29.02; 95% CI: -50.56, -7.49; P=0.008). The change in central macular thickness at 4 weeks after baseline did not vary significantly between the IVB groups and control groups (WMD=-20.48; 95% CI: -67.30, 26.34; P=0.39). All included studies taken separately reported on a significant increase in visual acuity in the IVB groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with branch retinal vein occlusion experienced a significant benefit in terms of visual improvement and reduction in central macular thickness after the intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.
authors.affiliation: The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical College, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Zi Ye
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Jost B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Jonas
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab