Visual outcome after intravitreal bevacizumab (avastin) in the treatment of diabetic macular oedema

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the visual outcome after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with diabetic macular edema. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted in PNS Shifa Hospital from 15 March 2010 to 15 Dec 2011 in patients with diabetic macular edema who were treated with at least one intravitreal injection of bevacizumab 1.25 mg in 0.05 ml. Patients underwent Snellen’s visual acuity testing and detailed ophthalmic examination before the procedure and monthly follow-up visits for three months. Results: There were 104 eyes of 71 consecutive patients with a mean age of 61.8 years (SD 16.1). The patients received a mean of 1.39 (SD1.35) injections of bevacizumab per eye. No adverse events were observed. The mean central macular thickness at baseline was 835 micron which improved to a mean of 360 micron at 3rd month (P < 0.001). The mean baseline acuity was log MAR = 0.52(SD 0.19) and at one month log MAR =0.22 (SD 0.20); the difference was significant (P = 0.001). At last follow-up of 3 months, the mean visual acuity was log MAR = 0.20 (SD 0.19), which was significantly better than baseline (P < 0.001). Visual acuity improved in 89 eyes. Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab resulted in a significant decrease in macular edema and improvement in visual acuity. The number of patients in this study was limited and the follow-up was too short to make any specific treatment recommendations, but the favorable short-term results suggest the need for further study