title: Prospective pilot study: efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone and bevacizumab injections in the treatment of macular oedema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of intravitreal injections of dexamethasone implants (IVD) with those of bevacizumab (IVB) for the treatment of macular oedema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 19 patients (19 eyes) were included in this prospective pilot study. Initially, 8 eyes received three IVBs (group 1) and 11 received one IVD (group 2). All the patients underwent a 1-, 3-, 4- and 6-month follow-up visit. A repeated IVB (group 1) or IVD (group 2) was proposed at 4 months when necessary.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean visual acuity was significantly better 1 month after treatment in group 2, while the mean central macular thickness was also significantly lower in group 2. However, there was no longer any difference between the two groups at 3, 4 and 6 months, neither in terms of visual acuity nor in terms of retinal thickness. More than three IVBs were needed in 3 of 10 patients in group 1 while two IVDs were required in 10 of 11 patients in group 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no significant difference between the two treatment regimens at the 6-month follow-up visit. A more rapid functional and anatomical efficacy was noted with IVD during the first month; however, reinjection at 4 months seemed more frequent with IVD than with IVB treatment.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires et Université de Strasbourg, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, FR-67091 Strasbourg, France. benoit.guignier@hotmail.fr
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guignier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Subilia-Guignier
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ballonzoli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Speeg-Schatz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gaucher
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D003907:Dexamethasone