Mean Best Corrected Visual Acuity after Intravitreal Bevacizumab in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema

Purpose:  To determine mean best corrected visual acuity after intravitreal bevacizumab in patients with diabetic macular edema. Study Design:  Quasi experimental study. Place and Duration of Study:  Jinnah Hospital, Lahore and Chaudary Muhammad Akram Hospital Lahore from March 2018 to May 2021. Methods:  A total of 200 patients of either gender with diabetic macular edema and age between 40 and 60 years were included in this study. Patients with dense cataract, corneal opacity, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and those who were treated with pan retinal photocoagulation were excluded. Best corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) was evaluated with Snellen chart and converted to log MAR. A standard protocol of 0.05 mL of Bevacizumab was prepared from injection Avastin, 100 mg/4 mL vial. Bevacizumab injection was given to all patients, using topical anesthesia, under aseptic measures in the operation theater. A total of 03 injections were given at 1-month interval. After three months, BCVA was recorded. Results were presented in number and percentages. Results:  Mean age of the participants was 50.42 ± 6.48 years. Male to female ratio was 1:1.6, with 78 (39.0%) men and 122 (61.0%) women. Mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 5.12 ± 2.23 years. Mean pre-treatment BCVA was 0.51 ± 0.05 and mean post-treatment BCVA at three months was 0.26 ± 0.22. Conclusion:  Mean BCVA is increased after intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab in patients with diabetic macular edema.