Bilateral response following unilateral intravitreal bevacizumab injection in a child with uveitic cystoid macular edema

Abstract

Untreated cystoid macular edema (CME) is a major cause for visual loss in intermediate and posterior forms of uveitis. Conventional treatments for inflammatory CME include steroids, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors; however, not all patients respond, even after quieting of the uveitis. Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody to vascular endothelial growth factor, has recently been suggested as a short-term treatment for inflammatory CME in adults. Because unilaterally injected bevacizumab can reach the contralateral eye via the systemic circulation there may be a contralateral clinical effect; however, the few reports that evaluate this in adults are conflicting. The purpose of this report is to document bilateral reduction of uveitic CME following unilateral intravitreal bevacizumab injection in an 8-year-old girl.