Shruthi K*
Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab in macular edema patients. SETTING Manjunatha eye hospital, Kundapura, Udupi.
Design: Clinical prospective study.
Materials and methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in 54 eyes of 45 patients between 01/05/2022 to 30/04/2023. All patients belonging to either sex irrespective of age who had macular edema due to various retinal disorders like PDR, CNVM, RVO, CME, VH etc were all included in the study. Patients with tractional retinal detachment, known cases of glaucoma, patients who had thromboembolic episodes like myocardial infarction, stroke in the last 6 months were excluded from the study. All the patients underwent initial ophthalmological examination with visual acuity, refraction, anterior segment examination, intraocular pressure and dilated fundoscopy. OCT was done to all eyes to measure the central macular thickness and correlate post injection. All the patients were given intravitreal injection bevacizumab 1.25 mg/0.05 ml on monthly basis. Patients were followed up 1 week and visual acuity, anterior segment evaluation, IOP, posterior segment examination and OCT were done.
Statistical analysis: Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: A total of 54 eyes of 45 patients were recruited in the study. Out of 45 patients, 18 were males and 27 were females. The age of the patients included in the study ranges from 43 to 79 years. Intravitreal injection was administered 18 in right eyes and 36 left eyes. Among 54 eyes, 29 had PDR, 11 had CNVM, 7 had RVOs, 5 had VH, 2 had post-traumatic CMEs. The mean central macular thickness in PDR was 543 mm, CNVM was 498 mm, RVOs was 457, post-traumatic was 532 mm. After intravitreal bevacizumab, BCVA improved to 6/60-6/24 in 41 eyes, 6/24-6/12 in 13 eyes. At the end of 6 months, BCVA was 6/60-6/24 in 8 eyes, 6/24-6/12 in 27 eyes, 6/12-6/6 in 19 eyes. Central macular thickness also improved to <300 mm in 16 eyes at the end of 6 months.
Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab monthly injections in patients with macular edema due to various retinal diseases is safe and effective over 6 months with improvement in BCVA and macular thickness.
