Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Intravitreal Bevacizumab in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Background: To further evaluate the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for the treatment of branch retinal vein occlusion in a meta-analysis of previous studies. Methods: Pertinent publications were identified through systemic searches of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register up to July 2012. Data on central macular thickness and best-corrected visual acuity obtained at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment were extracted. Groups of patients receiving IVB were compared with control groups. Results: Four randomized controlled and 3 comparative studies were included. A publication bias was not detected by funnel plots, the Egger method, or the Begg method. Best corrected visual acuity measured at 4 and 12 weeks after baseline increased significantly in the IVB groups as compared with the control groups [4 weeks: weighted mean deviation (WMD) = -0.09; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.12, -0.05; P < 0.001; at 12 weeks: WMD = -0.21; 95% CI: -0.30, -0.12; P < 0.001]. Similarly, reduction in central macular thickness at 12 weeks after baseline was significantly higher in the IVB groups than in the control groups (WMD = -29.02; 95% CI: -50.56, -7.49; P = 0.008). The change in central macular thickness at 4 weeks after baseline did not vary significantly between the IVB groups and control groups (WMD = -20.48; 95% CI: -67.30, 26.34; P = 0.39). All included studies taken separately reported on a significant increase in visual acuity in the IVB groups. Conclusions: Patients with branch retinal vein occlusion experienced a significant benefit in terms of visual improvement and reduction in central macular thickness after the intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.