Initial Dose of Three Monthly Intravitreal Injections versus PRN Intravitreal Injections of Bevacizumab for Macular Edema Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion. (26th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ahn, Seong Joon; Ahn, Jeeyun; Woo, Se Joon; Park, Kyu Hyung
• Other Names: Mimura Tatsuya Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: BioMed research international. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-08-26
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/209735
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2314-6133

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose . To compare visual and anatomic outcomes of intravitreal bevacizumab injections administered as needed (PRN group) and initial treatment with 3 monthly injections followed by as-needed injections (3 monthly initial dose group) in patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Methods . This retrospective study included 69 and 26 patients in the PRN and 3 monthly initial dose groups, respectively. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were compared between the 2 groups 6 months after initial injection. Results . At month 6, BCVA change from baseline was - 0.27 ± 0.28 (mean ± standard deviation) logMAR in the PRN group and - 0.28 ± 0.20 logMAR in the 3 monthly initial dose group. Mean CRT changes were - 204 ± 168 in the PRN group and - 161 ± 149 μ m in the 3 monthly initial dose group at month 6. There were no statistically significant differences in BCVA or CRT changes between groups at any time point. The number of intravitreal injections over 6 months was significantly lower in the PRN group (1.8 ± 0.8 injections) than in the 3 monthly initial dose group (3.4 ± 0.5 injections; P < 0.001 ). Conclusions . Our results suggest that as-needed intravitreal bevacizumab injections are more tolerable for patients with ME secondary to BRVO.