[Medium-term effects of intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion].

PURPOSE: To report the medium term effects of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with macular edema. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients receiving intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg/0.05 ml of bevacizumab (IVB) were included. All patients were followed up for 6 months or longer after the final IVB. The visual acuity and central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured at baseline, one week and every three months after the first IVB. RESULTS: The mean follow-up after the final IVB was 12.5 months (6-30 months). The mean visual acuity (baseline : 0.63 +/- 0.39) temporarily improved at one week (0.38 +/- 0.33 : p=0.0002), but there was no significant visual improvement at the final visit (0.73 +/- 0.67 : p=1.0). The mean CRT significantly decreased at one week, three months and six months after IVB and at the last visit. There were no differences in either visual or anatomical outcomes between the ischemic type and non-ischemic type. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab should be initially considered as a possible treatment in eyes with macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion.