Intravitreal bevacizumab treatment of macular edema in central retinal vein occlusion: one-year results

Purpose To report on the anatomic and visual acuity response after intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with macular edema due to non-ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods In a retrospective study, 21 consecutive patients (21 eyes) with non-ischemic CRVO underwent, on average, 3.7 intravitreal bevacizumab injections (1.25 mg). Ophthalmic examination included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) at baseline and follow-up visits. Fluorescein angiography was performed at baseline and at follow-up visits if needed. Primary outcomes were change of BCVA and CRT. Results The follow-up period for all of the included patients was 12 months. The mean BCVA was unchanged at the 12-month examination (baseline: 20/160; 12 months: 20/160) (P = 0.771). The mean CRT decreased from 780 μm (standard deviation [SD] ± 324 μm) at the baseline to a mean of 462 μm (SD ± 248 μm) at 12 months (P < 0.05). Conclusion Intravitreal bevacizumab resulted in a significant decrease in CRT without significant improvement of visual acuity in patients with non-ischemic CRVO after a follow-up of 12 months.