To evaluate intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) combined with grid laser
photocoagulation in macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion
(BRVO). METHODS: Eight eyes (8 patients) with ME associated with BRVO with at
least 3 months of evolution since symptom onset were included. All subjects
underwent measurement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and imaging with
spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) at baseline and 1, 3, 6,
and 12 months. Intravitreal bevacizumab was administered at baseline and macular
grid laser photocoagulation 1 month later. During follow-up, additional IVB was
administered based on physician discretion if persistent or recurrent
intraretinal fluid (cysts) was observed on SD-OCT. The mean BCVA and SD-OCT
central subfield thickness (CST) values were determined at each time point.
Fisher exact test was performed to assess differences between baseline and
post-treatment BCVA and SD-OCT measurements. RESULTS: The mean baseline BCVA was
0.28+/-0.14 (mean+/-SD), and the mean CST was 479+/-137 microm. The mean BCVAs at
1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 0.47+/-0.18 (p=0.031), 0.56+/-0.50 (p=0.031),
0.65+/-0.60 (p=0.008), and 0.66+/-0.65 (p=0.016), respectively. The mean CST
values at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 295+/-60 microm (p=0.008), 333+/-114 microm
(p=0.070), 339+/-80 microm (p=0.008), and 335+/-109 microm (p=0.008). A mean 2.13
injections were administered; the second injection was administered a mean of
2.71 months after baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Combined treatment with IVB and macular
grid photocoagulation provided good results and may be considered as an
alternative therapy for ME in BRVO. Further studies are needed to assess these
preliminary results
