J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2012 Oct;53(10):1458-1464.

Combined Therapy of Bevacizumab and Grid Photocoagulation for Macular Edema in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

• Lee SM
• Byon IS
• Lee JE
• Oum BS

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate clinical outcomes of a combined therapy of intravitreal bevacizumab and grid laser photocoagulation for macular edema in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).
METHODS
In the present retrospective study, medical records of patients who were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab injection for macular edema due to BRVO were reviewed. The eyes were divided into 2 groups, the combined therapy group of intravitreal bevacizumab and grid laser photocoagulation, and the monotherapy group of intravitreal bevacizumab. Visual acuity and central subfield macular thickness were investigated at 1, 2 and 6 months. Recurrence rate was compared between the 2 groups.
RESULTS
Among 49 eyes, 18 eyes underwent macular grid photocoagulation and 31 eyes did not receive laser treatment. Laser photocoagulation was performed at 1.2 months after injection on average. Visual acuity improved significantly at 2 and 6 months in the combined therapy group, and at 1, 2 and 6 months in the monotherapy group. Macular thickness decreased significantly compared to baseline at all visits in both groups. There was no significant difference in visual acuity and foveal thickness between the 2 groups. Recurrence at 6 months was significantly less frequent in the combined therapy group (3 eyes, 17%) then in the monotherapy group (14 eyes, 45%, p = 0.046).
CONCLUSIONS
Combined grid photocoagulation after intravitreal bevacizumab injection lowered the recurrence rate of macular edema complicated with BRVO.

Keyword

BRVO; Combination therapy; Intravitreal bevacizumab injection; Macular edema

MeSH Terms

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Eye
Humans
Light Coagulation
Macular Edema
Medical Records
Recurrence
Retinal Vein
Retinal Vein Occlusion
Retinaldehyde
Retrospective Studies
Visual Acuity
Bevacizumab
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Retinaldehyde

Figure

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  Figure 1 Visual acuity (mean ± SD, log MAR) in the monotherapy group of intravitreal bevacizumab and the combined therapy group with grid laser photocoagulation for macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion.

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  Figure 2 Central subfield macular thickness (mean ± SD, µm) in optical coherence tomography after intravitreal bevacizumab monotherapy and combined therapy with grid laser photocoagulation for macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion.

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