Real-Life Efficacy of Bevacizumab Treatment for Macular Edema Secondary to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion according to Pro Re Nata or Treat-and-Extend Regimen in Eyes with or without Epiretinal Membrane

Abstract

Purpose. To present real-life data of patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) treated with bevacizumab (BVZ); determine the possible influence of epiretinal membrane (ERM) on treatment efficacy; and compare treatment outcomes in a treat-and-extend regimen (TER) versus pro re nata (PRN). Methods. We carried out a retrospective analysis of 58 eyes (56 patients) with new-onset CRVO treated only with intravitreal bevacizumab according to TER or PRN. Outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) at baseline and 12 months after the first treatment, number of visits and injections, and presence of ERM confirmed by optical coherence tomography in the first 6 months. Results. At 12 months, the mean number of injections was 6.3 across all eyes, with significantly more injections given in TER (p<0.001). Mean CRT improved from 627 μm to 359 μm (p<0.001) in all eyes, with improvement noted in TER (p<0.001), PRN (p<0.001), ERM (p=0.003), and non-ERM (p<0.001) subgroups. The mean BCVA gain was +13.6 letters, and the mean BCVA improved from 0.81 to 0.54 LogMAR (p<0.001) in all eyes. BCVA improvement from baseline was significant in TER (p<0.001) and non-ERM (p<0.001) but not in PRN (p=0.08) or ERM (p=0.2) subgroups. Seven eyes, all receiving PRN treatment, developed neovascularization. Conclusions. Intravitreal bevacizumab according to either PRN or TER resolved edema and stabilized vision in the first 12 months, with TER yielding significant visual improvement and avoiding neovascular complications. ERM had no influence on bevacizumab efficacy in reducing ME in CRVO during 12 months of treatment.