Effect of intravitreal bevacizumab injection on visual acuity in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Objective: To determine the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab injection on visual acuity in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Methodology: Seventy eyes of 52 patients of proliferative diabetic retinopathy with visual acuity of 6/36 were selected from 26-02-2009 to 25-08-2009, at Retina Clinic of Layton Rehmatulla Benevolent Trust Eye and Cancer Hospital, Lahore, for this case series study. After taking aseptic measures intravitreal (1.25mg/0.05ml) Bevacizumab injection was injected. Post injection follow up was done for best corrected visual acuity with snellen visual acuity chart on 1st week, 6th week and 12th week. Efficacy was considered as gain of one or more snellen visual acuity chart line after 12 weeks. Effect modifiers like age and duration of diabetes mellitus (.10 years, 10 years) were addressed through stratification. Results: The mean+Standard Deviation (SD) of patients f age was 47.2 }7.9 years. Females 42 (60%) outnumbered the males. Majority of patients 38 (54.3%) had diabetes for more than 10 years. Overall improvement rate was 11 (15.7%) with significant improvement from 1.028 log MAR at baseline to 0.99 at 12 weeks (Paired t test p=0.0014, 95% Confidence interval of mean difference=0.016-0.062). Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection is effective in patients of proliferative diabetic retinopathy for short term results.