INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB AIDS REDUCTION OF MACULAR EDEMA DUE TO CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION (CRVO)

AIM - We aimed to evaluate the role of intravitreal bevacizumab injection in reduction of macular edema and improvement of visual acuity in patients with CRVO.METHODS - Twenty eyes of 20 patients (fourteen males and six females) with CRVO received intravitreal bevacizumab 2.5 mg per 0.1ml. Twelve (60 percent) were hypertensive, eight (40 percent) were diabetics, and two (20 percent) had ischemic heart disease. The baseline visual acuity was more than 0.1 decimals in five (35 percent) patients, and worse than 0.1 decimals in fifteen (75 percent) patients.RESULTS - The mean baseline macular thickness decreased from 799 microns to 194 microns ('p' value less than 0.001). Mean visual acuity improved from 0.14 decimals preoperatively to 0.29 decimals after intervention ('p' value 0.006). The visual acuity at six months had improved to 0.33decimals in six (30 percent) patients, 0.29 decimals to 0.1 decimals in eight (40 percent) patients, and less than 0.1 decimals in six (30 percent) patients. Three eyes developed iris neovascularization.CONCLUSION -Bevacizumab aids reduction of macular edema in CRVO and improves visual acuity