Subthreshold laser treatment for retinal arterial macroaneurysm

Vitrectomy Combined with Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling for the Treatment of Hemorrhagic Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysm with "Multilayered" Hemorrhages

AIMS

To report clinical outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in the treatment of "multilayered" hemorrhages caused by hemorrhagic retinal arterial microaneurysm (RAM) in three cases.

METHODS

Three patients with hemorrhagic RAM were reviewed. All patients underwent vitrectomy combined with ILM peeling. The diagnosis of RAM was confirmed by fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography after surgery.

RESULTS

All patients had yellowish-white prominent lesions with preretinal, intraretinal, and subretinal hemorrhaging with or without macular edema. Several months after the vitrectomy, the multilayered hemorrhages resolved without recurrent hemorrhage in the macular area. The exudative retinal detachment and macular edema associated with the RAM resolved, and eventually the RAM resolved, leaving behind white fibrous tissue. The visual acuity was improved in all patients.

CONCLUSION

Vitrectomy combined with ILM peeling was an option for the treatment of RAM with "multilayered" hemorrhages. Postoperative visual acuity and anatomical structure were improved.

Retinal arterial macroaneurysm rupture by Valsalva maneuver: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Retinal artery macroaneurysms (RAMs) are focal dilations of the large retinal arteries. Most RAMs are asymptomatic, however, when hemorrhage or exudation caused by a RAM involves the macula, patients can experience marked vision loss. This article reported a rare case of a ruptured RAM due to the Valsalva maneuver in an elderly female with constipation and offered a review of the relevant literature.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 78-year-old woman with several risk factors presented with multi-level retinal hemorrhages following a Valsalva maneuver during constipation. Due to the poor coagulation and heavy bleeding in this case, the blood broke through the internal limiting membrane and drained "on its own" into the vitreous cavity. First, we observed the patient and controlled for her risk factors. After the blood was completely drained into the vitreous cavity, the root cause of the bleeding was found to be a RAM rupture. After laser photocoagulation, the patient's vision recovered significantly and remained stable for a long time despite the presence of an epiretinal membrane and a lamellar macular hole.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first reported case of a RAM rupture by Valsalva maneuver during constipation. For multi-level hemorrhages caused by RAM, measures should be taken to drain out the sub-internal limiting membrane hemorrhage and simultaneously control for risk factors. After the RAM is exposed, laser photocoagulation can be performed.

Three-dimensional locations of ruptured retinal arterial macroaneurysms and their associations with the visual prognosis

The aim of this retrospective, observational study was to examine the intraretinal locations of ruptured retinal arterial macroaneurysms (RMAs) and investigate the associations with the visual prognosis. Fifty patients (50 eyes) with untreated RMA rupture who visited the Department of Ophthalmology at Kyoto University Hospital (April 2014–July 2019) were included. The intraretinal position of the ruptured RMAs relative to the affected retinal artery was examined using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and color fundus photography (CFP). The relative RMA positions were anterior to (anterior type, 44%), at the same level as (lateral type, 20%), or posterior to (posterior type, 34%) the affected artery. At the initial visit, the posterior type showed greater subretinal hemorrhage thickness than did the lateral and anterior types (P = 0.016 and 0.006, respectively), and poorer visual acuity (VA) than did the anterior type (P = 0.005). At the final visit, the length of the foveal ellipsoid zone band defect was longer (P = 0.005) and VA was poorer (P < 0.001) for the posterior type than for the anterior type. The intraretinal positions of ruptured RMAs vary, affect the thickness of foveal subretinal hemorrhage and predict future damage to the foveal photoreceptors. The visual prognosis may be poor for posteriorly ruptured RMAs.

Analysis of choroidal thickness in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy by optical coherence tomography angiography

Objectives:

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in choroidal thickness at different parts in patients with stage IV-V diabetic retinopathy (DR) treated by Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP) or its combination with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods:

Patients with proliferative DR (stage IV-V) diagnosed in Shijiazhuang People’s Hospital between January 2016 to January 2020 were selected and treated with conventional PRP or combined with anti-VEGF therapy. OCTA was performed before treatment and one three and six months after treatment to observe and compare subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), perifoveal choroidal thickness at 500 um (M500) and 1500 um (M1500).

Results:

A total of 76 patients (133 eyes) were included. Six months later, re-examination showed effective treatment in 122 eyes (91.72%) and ineffective treatment in 11 eyes. Before treatment and one week, three months and six months after treatment, the choroidal thickness was observed and compared by OCTA. SFCT, M500 and M1500 increased one week after treatment, were significantly thinner 3 months after treatment than those before treatment, and further decreased six months after treatment.

Conclusion:

OCTA presents a good evaluation of perifoveal choroidal thickness in patients with proliferative DR. It provides a basis for treatment selection and efficacy determination of proliferative DR.

Outcomes of combined treatments in patients with retinal arterial macroaneurysm

Purpose:

To evaluate the outcome of the combined approach between intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) and focal laser photocoagulation (FLP) in the treatment of symptomatic retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAM).

Methods:

A total of 10 patients were included in this clinical case series report. They were diagnosed with symptomatic RAM (one eye in each) and assessed by a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, including fluorescein angiography (FA), optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A), and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). All patients were treated with an IVR followed by an FLP 2 weeks later. If necessary, a second IVR was given 1 month after the first one (or 2 weeks after the first FLP), which was followed by a second FLP treatment 2 weeks later in the needed cases. All cases were followed up for 6 months after the last treatment.

Results:

Both the retina hemorrhage and edema were resolved by the treatment. No ocular and/or systemic side effects were evident, and no recrudescence of RAM was seen within the 6 months of follow-up.

Conclusion:

The combined treatment of IVRs and FLPs was successful in the management of symptomatic RAM.

Clinical variations and therapeutic challenges in the management of symptomatic retinal artery macroaneurysm: a tertiary center experience

PURPOSE

To find out clinical characteristics, therapeutic options, and visual outcome in symptomatic retinal artery macroaneurysm (RAMA) patients.

METHOD

Newly diagnosed cases of symptomatic RAMA from January 2015 to December 2019 were included. Fifteen eyes of 15 patients with mean age 62.46 years ± 14.89 (SD) fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

RESULT

Hypertension was present in 66.6% of the patients, and the commonest site was superotemporal (12 eyes, 80%). The most commonly employed treatment was Nd: Yag laser hyaloidotomy in 4 eyes (26.6%). Other treatments were intravitreal bevacizumab in 3 eyes (20%), focal laser with intravitreal bevacizumab in 3 eyes (20%), PPV with focal laser (13.3%) in 2, focal laser only in one (6.6%), PPV with focal and intravitreal bevacizumab in one (6.6%). The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline was 1.35 ± 0.84 LogMAR, which improved to 0.39 ± 0.53 LogMAR at the last follow-up. Presenting VA 0.77 (±0.40) improved to 0.20 (±0.17) p value (0.180) in intravitreal bevacizumab only group, 1.29 (±0.35) to 0.75 (±0.15) p value 0.66 in Nd: Yag laser group, 2.67 (±0.58) to 0.46 (±0.28) p value 0.019 in PPV group and did not improve in combined anti-VEGF and focal laser group due to dense hard exudates at the fovea in one and persistent cystoid macular edema in another case.

CONCLUSION

With regard to its presentation, which can vary tremendously, there are no approved guidelines for its treatment. The present study reinforces the need for a treatment guideline development. Customization of treatment should be considered depending on the clinical presentation of each case.

Clinical characteristics of retinal arterial macroaneurysms and prognosis of different interventions

PURPOSE

To estimate the clinical characteristics of retinal arterial macroaneurysms (RAM) and evaluate the prognosis of different interventions.

METHODS

This study is a meta-analysis. The databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Ovid from inception to January 2021 were searched to identify the relevant studies. R software version 3.6.3 was used to perform the statistical analyses. Results in proportion with 95% confidence interval were calculated by means of Freeman-Tukey variant of arcsine square transformation.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine studies involving 1332 patients were finally included. The pooling results indicated that 91% (95% CI [88 ~ 94%]) of the RAM patients were over sixty, 73% (95% CI [68 ~ 77%]) were female, and 73% (95% CI [66 ~ 79%]) have hypertension. By observation, the RAM closure rate was 64% (95% CI [39 ~ 86%]), the visual acuity (VA) improved in 55% (95% CI [40 ~ 71%]) of the patients, and the VA of 64% (95% CI [54 ~ 74%]) hemorrhagic versus 27% (95% CI [15 ~ 41%]) exudative patients improved significantly. By laser, the closure rate was 96% (95% CI [87 ~ 100%]), the VA improved in 73% (95% CI [65 ~ 80%]) of the patients, and the VA of 66% (95% CI [47 ~ 84%]) hemorrhagic versus 35% (95% CI [23 ~ 47%]) exudative patients improved significantly. By anti-VEGF, the closure rate was 98% (95% CI [93 ~ 100%]), the VA improved in 90% (95% CI [74 ~ 100%]) of the patients, and the VA of 58% (95% CI [18 ~ 94%]) hemorrhagic versus 67% (95% CI [31 ~ 96%]) exudative patients improved significantly.

CONCLUSION

RAM are most commonly seen in the elderly with a marked female predominance and a strong association with hypertension. Patients receiving laser or anti-VEGF treatments get higher closure rate and better visual prognosis than those with observation alone. Hemorrhagic RAM have a better visual prognosis by observation or laser treatment, while exudative RAM have a better visual prognosis by anti-VEGF treatment.

Combined Intravitreal Bevacizumab and Laser Photocoagulation to Treat Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysms

Purpose: To investigate the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab injection combined with laser photocoagulation in patients with retinal microaneurysms.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 21 eyes of 21 patients who underwent intravitreal bevacizumab injection and/or laser photocoagulation to treat retinal macroaneurysms. Eleven eyes received the combination therapy (CT) and 10 eyes monotherapy (MT) (either bevacizumab injection or laser photocoagulation). Changes in visual acuity, central macular thickness, macroaneurysm size and location, blood pressure, and the lipid level were compared between the two groups.Results: The mean patient age was 74.0 ± 10.5 years and the mean study period 7.0 ± 5.3 months. The mean macroaneurysm diameter of the CT group was 480.00 ± 292.30 μm and that of the MT group 328.75 ± 87.09 μm. The diameter was significantly larger in the CT group (p = 0.002). The initial visual acuities were 0.91 ± 0.66 and 0.88 ± 0.83 in the CT and MT groups, respectively. At the 4-month follow-up, the visual acuities were 0.33 ± 0.26 and 0.17 ± 0.29 in the CT and MT groups, respectively, and had significantly improved only in the CT group (p = 0.042). The initial central macular thicknesses were 441.82 ± 226.81 and 541.63 ± 401.97 μm in the CT and MT groups, respectively. At the 4-month follow-up, the figures were 293.60 ± 46.10 and 269.00 ± 48.34 μm in the CT and MT groups, respectively, and had significantly decreased only in the CT group (p = 0.043). Compared to the initial findings, the proportion of patients whose final visual acuities improved by more than two lines were 73% and 40%, respectively, thus significantly higher in the CT group (p < 0.001).Conclusions: Combined intravitreal bevacizumab injection and laser photocoagulation treatment of retinal macroaneurysms improve visual acuity and decrease macular thickness.

INTRAVITREAL ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR INJECTIONS FOR EXUDATIVE RETINAL ARTERIAL MACROANEURYSMS

PURPOSE

There is no established therapy for exudative-hemorrhagic complications in primary retinal arteriolar macroaneurysm (RAM).

METHODS

Retrospective multicenter interventional study of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor in symptomatic RAMs. Central macular thickness in μm and best-corrected visual acuity in logMar were correlated with the RAM size and distance to the macula. Statistical analyses were performed using paired comparisons and Pearson correlation.

RESULTS

Thirty-two eyes (32 patients) were treated with a mean of 2.7 injections over a mean follow-up of 16.6 months. Initial best-corrected visual acuity correlated with the RAM size and distance to the macula (P = 0.02). Central macular thickness decreased by 131,180, and 211 μm at 1, 2, and 3 months after the first injection (P < 0.001). Best-corrected visual acuity improved by 0.47 and 0.38 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study lines at 2 and 3 months (P = 0.005). Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor response correlated with the RAM size (P = 0.04) and the distance to the macula (P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

Symptomatic RAMs can be treated successfully with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections, leading to a decrease in macular edema.

To treat or not to treat: a clinical series of retinal arterial macroaneurysms: A single-center retrospective study

Retinal arterial macroaneurysms (RAMs) develop as outpouchings of the arterial wall that is weakened by arteriosclerosis. The traditional treatment of RAMs comprises observation, focal laser photocoagulation, or surgery. Recently, intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs has been announced as an effective therapy for fovea-threatening RAMs and quickly improve visual acuity and central retinal thickness (CRT).In the retrospective series, medical charts and ocular images of 24 patients diagnosed as having RAM between May 2011 and November 2018 in our facility were reviewed to delineate clinical manifestations and visual prognosis in RAM patients receiving different treatment modalities. Twenty-four patients (25 eyes; 11 men and 13 women) were enrolled, and one eye with comorbidity of branch retinal vein occlusion was excluded. The mean age of the patients was 69.00 ± 13.45 years. Fourteen patients (58.33%) had a history of hypertension, and 17 patients (70.83%) were aged > 60 years. Furthermore, patients with fovea-threatening RAMs presented with either hypertension or were aged > 60 years.Eyes with fovea involvement (n = 18) were analyzed and separated into two groups according to their treatment modalities: those receiving anti-VEGF intravitreal injections (n = 13) and observation only (n = 5). The baseline visual acuity revealed no significant difference in the two groups. In patients receiving anti-VEGF intravitreal injections, a significantly better visual acuity was detected after anti-VEGF intravitreal injections than the baseline visual acuity (logMAR, 0.78 ± 0.51 vs 1.52 ± 0.48, P < .001), and CRT significantly improved (505.50 ± 159.26 μm vs 243.60 ± 60.17 μm, P = .001). Patients receiving anti-VEGF intravitreal injections also revealed better final visual acuity than those in the observation group (logMAR, 0.78 ± 0.51 vs 1.34 ± 0.48, P = .04).A systematic work-up for hypertension and arteriosclerotic disease could be considered the recommended procedure once RAM has been diagnosed. With better final visual acuity, significant visual improvements, and fast reduction of CRT observed in patients with fovea-threatening RAMs receiving anti-VEGF intravitreal injections, intravitreal anti-VEGF was considered an effective therapy for complicated RAM. During the follow-up period, the majority of RAM eyes had good maintenance of visual function even with foveal complications.

Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysms: Updating your Memory on RAM Management

Purpose of review

This is a comprehensive review of management options for retinal arterial macroaneurysms (RAMs). Although close observation is typically recommended for RAMs not involving or threatening the macula, other treatment modalities can be considered for exudative or hemorrhagic complications that are vision-threatening.

Recent findings

New imaging technologies like optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) have been able to detect RAMs without the need of dye injection, further elucidating our understanding of blood flow within and around them. Observation alone is usually adequate treatment when lesion not threatening the fovea. Laser photocoagulation and intravitreal injection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors have effectively been used for management of exudative RAMs, whereas options including injection of VEGF inhibitors, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), vitrectomy, gas, and yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser have been used for hemorrhagic RAMs.

Summary

To date, there is no consensus regarding management of symptomatic exudative or hemorrhagic complications of RAM. Additionally, a case report is presented within this paper to illustrate the successful treatment of a hemorrhagic RAM in a symptomatic 65-year-old man using intravitreal bevacizumab.

Retinal arterial macroaneurysm associated with macular pucker

PURPOSE

To describe a case of retinal arterial macroaneurysm associated with macular pucker with good response to subthreshold laser treatment.

PRESENTATION

Two-year follow-up of a patient with decreased vision in one eye for the past 6 months. Baseline best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 in the affected eye. Multiple retinal arterial macroaneurysms were diagnosed on biomicroscopy fundus examination, with the presence of subretinal fluid and hard exudates on macula. Multimodal imaging including optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography confirmed the diagnosis and presence of macular pucker, which complicated the treatment choice. The largest retinal arterial macroaneurysm was treated 2 days after the diagnosis by means of subthreshold micropulse laser using an infrared diode laser with 1400 mW power, 200 ms exposure and 10% duty cycle.

RESULTS

Five months after the treatment, despite absorption of subretinal fluid, there were increased hard exudates at the posterior pole and best-corrected visual acuity was unchanged. Progressively, the exudates were absorbed and vision improved. Eighteen months after the treatment, best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25. Hard exudates were almost completely reabsorbed, with no evidence of fluid. Macular pucker was unchanged, with no retinal traction or complications related to conventional laser treatment.

CONCLUSION

Subthreshold laser treatment could be the treatment of choice in complicated cases of retinal arterial macroaneurysm with macular pucker, as it is able to modify the vessel permeability, without any thermal negative effect.

Direct navigated laser photocoagulation as primary treatment for retinal arterial macroaneurysms

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy and safety of conventional and navigated laser photocoagulation as the primary treatment option for retinal arteriolar macroaneurysm (RAM).

METHODS

Eleven (9 male and 2 females, mean age 65.1 ± 12.1 years) and 17 (13 male and 4 females, mean age 66.2 ± 8.9 years) patients were included in conventional laser photocoagulation (CLP) and navigated laser photocoagulation (NLP) groups, respectively. The primary outcome measures were LogMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness at the end of the follow-up. The secondary outcome measure was total laser energy applied during the procedure.

RESULTS

At the end of the mean follow-up of 11.4 ± 4.0 months, baseline LogMAR BCVA increased significantly from 0.65 ± 0.14 to 0.26 ± 0.12 (p < 0.001) in CLP group and from 0.57 ± 0.33 to 0.29 ± 0.34 (p < 0.001) in NLP group. Central retinal thickness decreased significantly from 514.5 ± 53.2 µm to 295.3 ± 11.3 µm (p < 0.001) and from 494.0 ± 111.2 µm to 285.8 ± 51.4 µm (p < 0.001) in CLP and NLP group, respectively. Total laser energy and number of laser burns applied per procedure in NLP group was statistically significantly lower than in CLP group (0.28 ± 0.13 J vs 0.59 ± 0.06 J, p < 0.001 and 28.5 ± 14.2 burns vs 48.9 ± 5.1 burns, respectively, p < 0.001). No adverse events related to laser treatment was noted in study groups during the follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated superiority of navigated laser photocoagulation compared to conventional laser photocoagulation in primary treatment of RAM which results from similar efficacy and safety of both techniques with lower mean total laser energy and number of laser burns required for navigated laser photocoagulation.

Long-term, therapy-related visual outcome of 49 cases with retinal arterial macroaneurysm: a case series and literature review

PURPOSE

Retinal arterial macroaneurysms (RAMAs) are acquired dilations of branches of the central retinal artery. Treatment depends on vision-limiting complications. We compare the long-term visual acuity (VA) in three groups according to treatment.

METHODS

49 charts of patients with RAMA were reviewed. 16 remained untreated, 15 received photocoagulation and 18 vitrectomy. Patients underwent full ophthalmological examinations and up-to-date imaging. We evaluated chosen therapy, complications and final VA at the last visit.

RESULTS

65% of the cohort was female, aged 75±11 years (mean±SD). Follow-up was 34±23 months. These parameters did not differ significantly between the three groups. In the observed group, initial VA was 0.48 (mean log MAR) vs 0.35 at the final visit, in the photocoagulation group 0.55 vs 0.59, and in the vitrectomy group 1.8 vs 0.77. VA was significantly worse at enrolment in the vitrectomy group, while all other VA differences were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall visual prognosis of RAMA was good, even after macular complications. VA remained unchanged in the observed and the laser groups and was comparable in all groups after 3 years. Based on an individual treatment decision, all therapies were effective and efficient. If subfoveal haemorrhage caused a macular hole, the VA outcome was limited.

Identification of Underlying Causes of Spontaneous Submacular Hemorrhage by Indocyanine Green Angiography

Purpose: To investigate the causes of acute spontaneous submacular hemorrhage with indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Methods: Retrospective observation case series. A total of 51 eyes from 51 patients with newly developed spontaneous submacular hemorrhage were enrolled. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), and ICGA at baseline were analyzed. The extent of hemorrhage using fundus photography, height of hemorrhage, and central foveal thickness measured by OCT was analyzed to compare the diagnostic and nondiagnostic groups. Results: The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA at presentation was 1.21 ± 0.74 (Snellen equivalent, 20/324); the mean follow-up period was 23.9 ± 23.9 months. The cause of submacular hemorrhage was diagnosed in 43 of 51 eyes (84.3%) based on ICGA at presentation. The initial diagnoses were correct in 93% of eyes. In 3 cases, the initial diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was changed to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) based on follow-up ICGA. The central foveal thickness was significantly greater in the nondiagnostic group (1,102.4 vs. 666.7 μm, respectively; p = 0.008). The most common cause of submacular hemorrhage was neovascular AMD (52.9%), followed by PCV (37.3%), macroaneurysm (5.9%), and lacquer crack (3.9%). The mean final visual acuity was generally worse in patients with submacular hemorrhage with typical AMD (visual acuity 20/618) or PCV (visual acuity 20/240) compared to that in patients with retinal macroaneurysm (visual acuity 20/100) or lacquer crack (visual acuity 20/72). Conclusions: ICGA at initial presentation helps identify causes of submacular hemorrhage, allowing differential treatment approaches that may improve outcomes and safety.

Ruptured retinal arterial macroaneurysm: diagnosis and management

Retinal arterial macroaneurysm is an acquired, focal dilation of a retinal artery, typically occurring within the first three bifurcations of the central retinal artery. The clinical presentation of a retinal arterial macroaneurysm is highly variable, making initial diagnosis difficult and differentials many. Identification of retinal arterial macroaneurysms is crucial to appropriately co-manage with the primary care physician for hypertension control. Prognosis is generally good and observation is often an adequate treatment. However, in cases of macular threat or involvement, some treatment options are available and referral to a retinal specialist is indicated.

Intravitreal bevacizumab for symptomatic retinal arterial macroaneurysm

PURPOSE

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of intravitreal bevacizumab injection for symptomatic retinal arterial macroaneurysm.

DESIGN

Retrospective interventional case series.

METHODS

The study included 23 patients (23 eyes) with symptomatic retinal arterial macroaneurysm. They were categorized according to treatment method into 2 groups: an intravitreal bevacizumab-treated group (11 eyes) and an untreated group (12 eyes). Bevacizumab was injected at the initial visit, followed by as-needed monthly reinjection. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness were documented and analyzed between groups.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period for all subjects was 10.83 ± 4.6 months. The mean number of injections for the treated group was 1.42 ± 0.69. The mean logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) of BCVA improved from baseline at the last follow-up by 0.26 in the bevacizumab-treated group (P = .02) and by 0.34 in the untreated group (P = .005). Average central macular thickness decreased from 384.4 ± 150.1 μm to 265 ± 112.5 μm in the bevacizumab-treated group (P = .0002) and from 413.2 ± 155.2 μm to 236.3 ± 103.5 μm in the untreated group (P = .008). The BCVA was significantly improved from baseline after 1 month in the bevacizumab-treated group (P = .02) and after 3 months in the untreated group (P = .01). However, there was no statistically significant difference in BCVA improvement or central macular thickness improvement achieved at the final visit.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravitreal bevacizumab injection likely hastens resolution of macular edema and hemorrhage secondary to retinal arterial macroaneurysm. Intravitreal bevacizumab injection could be an effective treatment option for symptomatic retinal arterial macroaneurysm.

Intravitreal bevacizumab for macular complications from retinal arterial macroaneurysms

PURPOSE

To evaluate the anatomic and functional results of the treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab in complicated retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAM).

DESIGN

A multicenter interventional, prospective, nonrandomized study.

METHODS

Thirty-eight macroaneurysms of 37 patients with foveal complications were evaluated. All patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, fluorescein angiography (FA), and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) examination. Each patient underwent 3 monthly injections of bevacizumab 1.25 mg/0.05 mL; 3 follow-up visits were planned at week 2, 6, and 12.

RESULTS

Both best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), expressed in logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR), and central retinal thickness (CRT) significantly improved during the follow-up visits (0.57 ± 0.21 vs 0.41 ± 0.15 vs 0.23 ± 0.13 vs 0.09 ± 0.10 and 520.38 ± 191.05 vs 396.24 ± 136.18 vs 283.86 ± 71.87 vs 214.84 ± 26.86, respectively, Friedman test P < .0001 for all variables). At 6 weeks of follow-up, FA showed complete closure of the RAM in 36 of 38 cases (94.7%). Four weeks following the third injection, the macular edema had completely resolved and hard exudates regressed slowly in 100% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravitreal bevacizumab is an effective therapy for complicated RAM, quickly improving BCVA and CRT. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs might actively close the involved pathologically permeabilized retinal artery and normalize the vessel wall formation by localized inhibition of VEGF.