Intravitreal bevacizumab versus triamcinolone acetonide for refractory uveitic cystoid macular edema: a randomized pilot study.

PURPOSE: To compare intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) versus intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVT) for treatment of refractory uveitic cystoid macular edema (CME).

METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 31 eyes with uveitic CME were allocated into the IVB group-eyes that received 1-3 injections of 1.25 mg bevacizumab (15 eyes) and the IVT group-eyes that received 1-3 injections of 2 mg triamcinolone (16 eyes). Primary outcome measure was change in best-corrected visual acuity (VA) at 36 weeks.

RESULTS: Visual acuity improvement compared with baseline values was meaningful in the IVB group at 12, 24, and 36 weeks (-0.35 + or - 0.45 logMAR [P = 0.016]) and in the IVT group at 24 and 36 weeks (-0.32 + or - 0.32 logMAR [P = 0.001]). A significant central macular thickness (CMT) reduction was observed only in the IVT group at week 36 (74.6 + or - 108.0 microm [P = 0.049]). Between-group analysis disclosed no significant difference in any outcome measure. By statistically removing the factor of cataract, the IVT group had more improvement in VA (P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS: IVB was as effective as IVT in refractory uveitic CME regarding VA improvement up to 36 weeks. Irrespective of triamcinolone-induced cataract, a more beneficial effect of IVT may be attainable.