6533b82dfe1ef96bd12911b2

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Management of macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion with intravitreal injections of pegaptanib sodium

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description

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of Pegaptanib Sodium as single therapy for macular edema due to non-ischemic branch retinal vein occlusion. Methods In this uncontrolled prospective pilot study 17 patients have been included with non-ischemic branch retinal vein occlusion. All of them showed macular edema in the OCT with central foveal thickness higher than 350 microns (mean, 541 +/- 140) and decrease in visual acuity lower than 0,5 Snellen ETDRS charts notation (mean, 0,16+/-0,14). After an initial injection of Pegaptanib Sodium evaluations were programmed every 5 weeks and further retreatments were developed in cases with macular thickness higher than 300 microns. No other therapies were allowed at any point of the study. Results During the follow-up a mean number of 4,3 injections were needed to achieve a mean visual acuity of 0,35 +/- 0,28 and a mean macular thickness of 264 +/- 73 microns. All patients showed an improvement in both visual acuity and macular thickness. No systemic or ocular adverse event was registered. Conclusion Intravitreal injections of Pegaptanib Sodium constitute a safe and effective new approach in the treatment of macular edema due to non-ischemic branch retinal vein occlusion. Further controlled prospective trials are required to confirm our preliminary results.