Treat-and-extend intravitreal bevacizumab for branch retinal vein occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness and direct medical costs of treat-and-extend (TAE) intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for the treatment of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)-associated macular edema (ME).


METHODS
Retrospective chart review of 52 consecutive patients diagnosed with BRVO-associated ME treated with IVB using a TAE protocol.


RESULTS
Mean change in logMAR vision was -0.30 (P < .001), and mean change in central macular thickness was -244.0 μm (P < .001). The mean number of injections was 8.2 (95% CI; 7.8 to 8.6). The yearly average direct cost of the TAE regimen was calculated to be $2,580.26 per patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of BRVO-associated ME with IVB using a TAE regimen resulted in similar visual outcomes and number of intravitreal injections as did as-needed treatment with 0.5 mg ranibizumab conducted in phase 3 trials but with fewer visits and lower annual medical costs.
Ryan B
RB
Rush
Matthew P
MP
Simunovic
Antonio V
AV
Aragon
J Edward
JE
Ysasaga
D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab