Combined Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection Research Articles

Intravitreal bevacizumab with prompt laser compared with steroid with prompt laser and prompt laser alone for treatment of diffuse diabetic macular edema

Aim The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of combined intravitreal bevacizumab injection plus prompt laser versus combined intravitreal triamcinolone injection plus prompt laser and laser alone in the management of diffuse diabetic macular edema on both central macular thickness (CMT) and visual acuity. Patients and methods Sixty patients with diabetes mellitus (type 2) with diffuse macular edema (35 males and 25 females) were recruited for this prospective, randomized, interventional study. Complete history taking, full ophthalmological examination, and CMT measurement using optical coherence tomography were done for all patients. They were subdivided randomly into three groups: laser photocoagulation group (laser group), combined laser and intravitreal bevacizumab group (IVB+laser group), and laser and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide group (IVTA+laser group), and they were followed up every 2 months for 1 year for evaluation of their response to these treatment modalities as well as for detection of any adverse effects. Results After 12-month follow-up, IVB+laser group showed a higher significant decrease in CMT than that occurred with the other two groups (P Conclusion Combined IVB+laser photocoagulation provided the highest and the longest efficacy in improving visual acuity and reducing CMT in treating diabetic macular edema, compared with laser group or combined IVTA+laser.

OUTCOMES AFTER LASER VERSUS COMBINED LASER AND BEVACIZUMAB TREATMENT FOR TYPE 1 RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY IN ZONE I.

To investigate the anatomical and refractive outcomes in patients with Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity in Zone I. The medical records of 101 eyes of 51 consecutive infants with Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity in Zone I were analyzed. Infants were treated by conventional laser photocoagulation (Group I), combined intravitreal bevacizumab injection and Zone I sparing laser (Group II), or intravitreal bevacizumab with deferred laser treatment (Group III). The proportion of unfavorable anatomical outcomes including retinal fold, disc dragging, retrolental tissue obscuring the view of the posterior pole, retinal detachment, and early refractive errors were compared among the three groups. The mean gestational age at birth and the birth weight of all 51 infants were 24.3 ± 1.1 weeks and 646 ± 143 g, respectively. In Group I, an unfavorable anatomical outcome was observed in 10 of 44 eyes (22.7%). In contrast, in Groups II and III, all eyes showed favorable anatomical outcomes without reactivation or retreatment. The refractive error was less myopic in Group III than in Groups I and II (spherical equivalent of -4.62 ± 4.00 D in Group I, -5.53 ± 2.21 D in Group II, and -1.40 ± 2.19 D in Group III; P < 0.001). In Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity in Zone I, intravitreal bevacizumab with concomitant or deferred laser therapy yielded a better anatomical outcome than conventional laser therapy alone. Moreover, intravitreal bevacizumab with deferred laser treatment resulted in less myopic refractive error.

COMBINED INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB INJECTION AND ZONE I SPARING LASER PHOTOCOAGULATION IN PATIENTS WITH ZONE I RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY

To investigate the anatomical outcome of combined intravitreal bevacizumab injection and Zone I sparing laser ablation in patients with Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity in Zone I. The medical records of consecutive 18 eyes of 10 infants, who underwent combined intravitreal bevacizumab (0.25 mg) injection and Zone I sparing laser ablation for the treatment of Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity in Zone I, were retrospectively reviewed. Laser photocoagulation was performed on the avascular retina anterior to the margin of Zone I extending to the ora serrata. Anatomical outcomes including progression to stage 4/5, macular changes, and vitreous organization were reviewed. The mean gestational age at birth and the birth weight of included patients were 24.0 weeks and 628 g, respectively. The timing of bevacizumab injection ranged from postmenstrual age 33(+2) to 35 weeks (mean, 34.3 weeks). Postmenstrual age at last follow-up ranged from 74(+6) to 107(+1) weeks (mean, 83.6 weeks). All 18 eyes demonstrated prompt regression of neovascular pathology and plus disease without recurrence. Previously avascular Zone I retina was vascularized in all eyes after the treatment. All eyes showed excellent anatomical outcome with intact macula, but one eye showed mild vitreous organization above the vascular/avascular junction. Combined intravitreal bevacizumab injection and Zone I sparing laser ablation for Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity in Zone I seem to be effective treatment options. Possible advantages include lower dose of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, less recurrence than monotherapy, and preservation of central visual field.