Visual outcomes following intravitreal bevacizumab and focal laser in diabetic macular edema

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the visual outcome and central macular thickness (CMT) after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab followed by focal laser for the treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME). Patients and methods: This is a prospective, observational study. A total of 30 eyes of 30 patients with Diabetic macular edema were included in this study. The following data were recorded at baseline and during the follow-up periods (≤6 months): bestcorrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit-lamp biomicroscopy, CMT and intraocular pressure measurement by applanation tonometry. All eyes received intravitreal bevacizumab at a dose of 1.25 mg in 0.05 ml followed by focal laser after 2 weeks. Results: This study included 30 eyes of 30 patients, the mean age of the patient 59.4±8.5 years. There were 19 males and 11 females. The mean baseline BCVA in LogMAR was 0.78±0.23, and the final mean BCVA at 6 months had improved to 0.45±0.20. Significant improvement was seen in all the patients over the study period (p<0.001). Mean CMT at baseline was 485±122 μm, which decreased to a mean of 321±82μm at the end of the follow-up period (6 months). Conclusion: Primary treatment for DME with intravitreal bevacizumab followed by focal laser results in improvement of vision and reduces CMT. Combined therapy seems to be an effective modality for treatment of DME.