title: Changes of retinal flow volume after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in branch retinal vein occlusion with macular edema: a case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (IVB) is effective for macular edema in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), the changes of retinal hemodynamics remain unclear. We investigated retinal hemodynamic changes in BRVO patients after IVB by performing laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG).
  
  
  METHODS
  In 35 BRVO patients with macular edema, the relative flow volume (RFV) of the retinal artery and vein passing through the optic disc was measured in both the occluded and non-occluded regions of the retina before IVB and 1 month after IVB by LSFG. The ischemic region of retina was measured with the Scion Image program and the severity of retinal ischemia was assessed by dividing the non-perfused area by the disc area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Macular edema improved significantly by 1 month after IVB. The venous RFV ratio showed a significant increase in the non-occluded region at 1 month after IVB. There was a significant negative correlation between the venous RFV ratio and the severity of retinal ischemia in the occluded region. On the other hand, arterial RFV ratio showed no significant change after IVB in either the occluded or non-occluded region. In addition, there was no significant correlation between the arterial RFV ratio and the severity of retinal ischemia in either the occluded or non-occluded region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that an increase of retinal venous outflow after IVB may possibly influence the resolution of macular edema and that the response of venous outflow after IVB depends on the severity of retinal ischemia in the occluded region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Hachioji Medical Center, Tokyo Medical University, 1163, Tatemachi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 193-0998, Japan. noma-hide@umin.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hidetaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Noma
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Hachioji Medical Center, Tokyo Medical University, 1163, Tatemachi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 193-0998, Japan.
authors.forename: Kanako
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Hachioji Medical Center, Tokyo Medical University, 1163, Tatemachi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 193-0998, Japan.
authors.forename: Terumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Minezaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Hachioji Medical Center, Tokyo Medical University, 1163, Tatemachi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 193-0998, Japan.
authors.forename: Sho
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Watarai
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Hachioji Medical Center, Tokyo Medical University, 1163, Tatemachi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 193-0998, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shimura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068258:Bevacizumab / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000068258:Bevacizumab