Background: The management of macular edema and ocular neovascularization is changing and includes a new group of drugs called anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF). Intra-vitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents has become the new standard of care for macular edema. However, data on their real world effectiveness and safety of these drugs in African eye care settings are very scarce. Objective: To assess the visual outcome of intravitreal Avastin (IVA) injection at University of Gondar hospital tertiary eye-care and training center. Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records of patients who received IVA at the center was done. The main outcome measure was visual acuity (VA). Results: The study included 37 eyes of 34 study participants with macular edema secondary to diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, and neovascular age related macular degeneration (AMD). Mean VA improved from 6/60 (approximate 35 ETDRS letters) at baseline to 6/24 (approximate 55 ETDRS letters) at 2 months follow-up (p=0.0045) and this improvement was maintained at 6 months of follow up. This happened after mean injection of 2.5 times per eye over 6 months period. No major ocular or systemic treatment related adverse events were observed. Conclusion: Patients who received IVA as initial therapy for macular edema from diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, and neovascular AMD has a significant mean VA improvement which was maintained up to 6 months. Short term results show that IVA is effective and safe.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.