One day wonder: Fast resolution of macular edema following intravitreal ranibizumab in retinal venous occlusions

• Main Authors: Lalit Verma, Arindam Chakravarti, Avnindra Gupta, Smriti Prakash
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2013-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: Chemotherapy; focal treatment; retinoblastoma; Allergic eye disease; papillae; shield ulcer; vernal keratoconjunctivitis; Anti-VEGF injections; bevacizumab; neovascular age-related macular degeneration; ranibizumab; submacular hemorrhage; Emergency department; ocular; trauma; work related injuries; Ocular trauma; open globe injury; preoperative (initial) visual acuity; prognostic factors; relative afferent pupillary defect; Configuration; choroidal neovascular membrane; foveal slope; foveal thickness; macular pigment; Descemet membrane; keratoplasty; optical coherence tomography; Central serous chorioretinopathy; epidural steroid; retinal pigment epithelium detachment; retinal pigment epithelium tear; Self-inflicted; ocular injury; needle; Anterior chamber maintainer; best corrected visual acuity; neodymium yttrium aluminium garnet laser; ocular visco-surgical device; posterior capsule opacification; AIDS; Candida albicans; reverse masquerade syndrome; Bevacizumab; complications; intravitreal injection; Scytalidium sp.; Cefepime; ceftazidime; endophthalmitis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Macular edema; retinal vein occlusion; vascular endothelial growth factor
• Online Access: http://www.ijo.in/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2013;volume=61;issue=9;spage=528;epage=530;aulast=Verma
• ISSN: 0301-4738; 1998-3689

Macular edema is a significant cause of vision loss in patients with central retinal vein occlusions and branch retinal vein occlusions. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) appears to be a key factor in the pathogenesis of this disease. Anti-VEGF therapy, such as intravitreal ranibizumab provides an effective treatment against vision-threatening macular edema. We report three patients of retinal vein occlusion with macular edema who demonstrated overnight resolution of macular edema following treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab (0.5 mg). 3D optical coherence tomography (Optovue) was used as a tool for comparison of the macular thickness before and after treatment. The significant reductions in the central foveal thickness demonstrated in these patients one night after intravitreal injections could have significant influence on modifying current treatment protocols. Early treatment of macular edema related to retinal venous occlusive disease with anti-VEGF injections could result in faster visual rehabilitation in these patients.