Effect of Intravitreal Bevacizumab on Focal Edema With Hard Exudates Secondary to Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) on focal edema with hard exudates secondary to diabetic retinopathy.

Design: Prospective interventional case series. Participants: Ten eyes of 10 consecutive patients showing focal edema with hard exudates secondary to diabetic retinopathy which are not eligible for focal laser photocoagulation due to central location (< 500 µm from fovea).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. patients of either gender aged > 18 years
2. patients with type 2 diabetes
3. central macular thickness > 300 µm on OCT
4. eyes not eligible for focal laser photocoagulation due to the central location of hard exudates (< 500 µm)
5. an area of retinal thickening less than 2 disc areas in diameter
6. 67% or more of leakage associated with microaneurysms

Exclusion Criteria:

1. eyes with history of laser photocoagulation or pharmacological intervention for DME on study eye
2. eyes with any pharmacologic intervention on fellow eye within 6 months
3. history of ocular diseases other than diabetic retinopathy
4. surgical history other than cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation
5. panretinal photocoagulation within 3 months of enrollment
6. media opacity
7. any thromboembolic event within 6 months, or evidence of active cardiac ischemia on electrocardiogram (ECG) at time of screening.