Intravitreal bevacizumab treatment for refractory diabetic macular edema.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to report the short-term clinical and angiographic outcomes after an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in eyes with refractory diabetic macular edema.

METHODS: Patients who had been treated with both grid-laser photocoagulation and intravitreal trimacinolone acetonide injections for diabetic macular edema received intravitreal bevacizumab (0.125 mg/0.05 mL). Snellen visual acuity testing and fluorescien angiography were performed before and 1 month after the injection for each patient.

RESULTS: Seventeen (17) eyes of 16 patients were included in the study. All patients completed 6 weeks of follow-up. Visual acuity improved in 12 eyes (70%) and remained the same in 5 eyes (30%). Eight (8) eyes (47%) revealed a marked improvement of macular edema, 6 eyes (35%) revealed mild improvement, and 3 eyes (18%) had no change. None of the patients developed local or systemic adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab may be effective in the treatment of refractory diabetic edema unresponsive to laser photocoagulation and an intravitreal triamcinolone injection.