2M.D. Asistant Professor, Bezmialem Vakif University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, İstanbul/TURKEY Purpose: To evaluate the effect of subtenon triamcinolone acetonide (STA) and intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections in the treatment of macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).
Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 41 eyes of 41 patients with macular edema due to BRVO were included. The records of 21 patients of triamcinolone and 20 patients of bevacizumab group were analyzed retrospectively. Before injection and 1., 3. and 6 months after the treatment, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (logMAR), intraocular pressure (IOP) and central foveal thickness (CFT) detected by optical coherence tomography were recorded.
Results: In the triamcinolone group baseline values including BCVA (logMAR) and CFT were 0.94±0.42 logMAR and 552±70 μm. In the bevacizumab group, they were 0.98±0.50 logMAR and 541±94 μm. At 6th month BCVA and CFT were 0.57±0.35 logMAR and 342±34 μm in the triamcinolone group whereas these values were 0.41±0.23 logMAR and 289±15μm in the bevacizumab group. During the follow up, the mean BCVA was not significantly different but the mean CFT was significantly different at 3rd and 6th month between groups. Five patients (23.8%) from triamcinolone group, IOP exceeded 24 mm Hg postoperatively. No complications observed in the bevacizumab group.
Conclusion: The visual outcome of STA and IVB injections in patients with macular edema due to BRVO was similar. Increased IOP after injection limits the usage of STA. However the effect of IVB on the macular edema seems better than STA.
Keywords : Retinal vein occlusion, macular edema, triamcinolone acetonide, bevacizumab