title: [Bevacizumab and Ranibizumab for macular edema due to retinal vein occlusions].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of Bevacizumab (BE) (Avastin®) or Ranibizumab (RA) (Lucentis®) on the visual acuity (VA) and on the central foveal thickness (CFT) was evaluated in macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eyes with a macular edema due to a central retinal vein occlusion or to a branch retinal vein occlusion were considered if at least 3 intravitreal injections of Bevacizumab (1.25 mg) or Ranibizumab (0.5 mg) had been performed. The visual acuity with ETDRS and the central foveal thickness with spectral optical coherence tomography (OCT) were measured. The 3-months follow-up and, if further injections were necessary, the 6-months follow-up were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 3 months a significant improvement of the visual acuity was measured in both groups (p < 0.001) while during the same period the mean central foveal thickness diminished significantly (p < 0.001). At the 3-months follow-up there were no significant differences between the two groups for the mean visual acuity and for the mean central foveal thickness. The treatment was continued in 36 eyes and the visual acuity and the central foveal thickness were compared between the 3-months and the 6-months follow-up. No further improvements of the visual acuity or of the central foveal thickness were measured in both groups. A relapse of the macular edema was diagnosed in 30 eyes without a significant difference in the Bevacizumab group compared to the Ranibizumab group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravitreal injections of Bevacizumab and Ranibizumab improved the visual acuity and the central foveal thickness in macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion at 3 months. A further improvement was not measured if the treatment was prolonged to 6 months. There were no significant differences measured between Bevacizumab and Ranibizumab. The ratio of relapses is important to note.
authors: Augenklinik, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Schweiz. nadinecloe.niederhauser@kssg.ch
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Niederhauser
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Valmaggia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab