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Anti-VEGF improves visual acuity in eyes with macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion
Ophthalmology. 2010;117(12):2387-2394.
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Anti-VEGF injection benefited patients with macular edema caused by branch retinal vein occlusion and central retinal vein occlusion over the long term, although frequent injections were necessary in some cases, a study found.
"Hopefully, a period of aggressive pharmacologic blockade of VEGF combined with reduction of the source of its production will maximize VA and free patients with RVO from long-term injections," the study authors said.
The prospective randomized study included 20 patients with macular edema caused by BRVO and 20 patients with macular edema caused by CRVO. Patients received three monthly intraocular injections of 0.3 mg or 0.5 mg of Lucentis (ranibizumab, Genentech).
Overall, 17 patients with BRVO completed 2 years of follow-up. In this group, best corrected visual acuity improved a mean 15.6 letters at 3 months and 17.8 letters at 24 months. Ten patients had a Snellen BCVA of 20/40 or better at 24 months, according to the study.
Patients with BRVO had a mean foveal thickness of 481.5 µm at baseline, 217.1 µm at 3 months and 245.8 µm at 24 months.
Among 14 patients with CRVO who completed 2 years of follow-up, BCVA improved a mean 12 letters at 3 months and 8.5 letters at 24 months. Four of these patients had Snellen BCVA of 20/40 or better at 24 months.
Patients with CRVO had mean foveal thickness of 533 µm at baseline, 278 ?m at 3 months and 338 µm at 24 months, the authors reported.