Abstract:
The intravitreal therapy with VEGF inhibitors led to fundamental changes in the treatment strategies in ophthalmology. It seems that the VEGF inhibitors are slowly taking the place of palliative treatments of the past with less effect. The aim of our study is analyzing the effect (visual acuity and change of central retinal thickness (CRT)) of one of the most important VEGF inhibitors (bevacizumab) in macular edema (ME) following the three most common vascular diseases (central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and diabetic retinopathy (DR)). In addition, we identified prognostic factors for a visual acuity gain.
In the BRVO group the bevacizumab therapy led to a significant visual acuity gain of 2 lines after 6 months and after 1 year. In addition, the ME reduced significantly by 120µm and 100µm after 6 and 12 months, respectively. The initial visual acuity was identified as the only prognostic factor for a visual acuity gain.
In the CRVO group the bevacizumab therapy led to a significant visual acuity gain of 2 lines after 6 months. After 1 year visual acuity improved 1 line (though not significant). ME showed a significant reduction of 251µm and 310µm after 6 months and 1 year, respectively. Initial visual acuity was identified as the only independent prognostic factor for a visual acuity gain. Both the CRVO and the BRVO group showed that eyes with a poor initial visual acuity benefit most from the therapy.
Interestingly, eyes with diabetic ME showed no significant change in visual acuity or CRT at 1 year after bevacizumab therapy. Also, the initial visual acuity was identified as the only prognostic factor for a visual acuity gain.
In conclusion, the bevacizumab therapy is a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of ME by retinal vascular diseases. Further prospective randomized blinded studies are needed to clarify whether the bevacizumab therapy is to replace the current treatment options.