Intravitreal Bevacizumab for Retinal Vein Occlusion

Anar Toishubai¹, Baasankhuu Jamiyanjav², Uranchimeg Davaatseren², Bulgan Tuvaan², Chimgee Chuluunkhuu³

¹The Department of Ophthalmology, Shastin Central Hospital, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
²Health and Science Univercity of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
³Sight Eye Clinic, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Purpose: To evaluate therapeutic effect after intravitreal bevacizumab in eyes with persistent macular oedema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) or central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

Methods: Seventeen consecutive eyes with macular edema secondary to BRVO (11 eyes) or CRVO (6 eyes) were included. Patients underwent Snellen visual acuity testing, fundus examination, color fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography at baseline and follow-up visits. Eyes were treated with two intravitreal bevacizumab injections (Avastin®) at a three monthly interval.

Results: After 2 weeks and 1, 3, and 6 months of follow-up, mean visual acuity increased from 0.2 to 0.8; (p < 0.001). No drug-related systemic or ocular side effects following intravitreal bevacizumab treatment were observed. Fluorescein angiography revealed no leakage and no progression of avascular areas.

Conclusions: Intravitreal therapy using bevacizumab appears to be a safe and effective treatment in patients with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion.