Visual Outcome of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Injection at the University of Gondar Hospital Tertiary Eye Care and Training Centre, North-West Ethiopia

BackgroundThe management of macular edema and ocular neovascularization is changing and includes a new group of drugs called anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF). Intra-vitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents has become the new standard of care for macular edema. However, data on their real world effectiveness and safety of these drugs in African eye care settings are very scarce. ObjectiveTo assess the visual outcome of intravitreal Avastin (IVA) injection at University of Gondar hospital tertiary eye-care and training center. MethodsA retrospective analysis of medical records of patients who received IVA at the center was done. The main outcome measure was visual acuity (VA). ResultsThe study included 37 eyes of 34 study participants with macular edema secondary to diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, and neovascular age related macular degeneration (AMD). Mean VA improved from 6/60 (approximate 35 ETDRS letters) at baseline to 6/24 (approximate 55 ETDRS letters) at 2 months follow-up (p=0.0045) and this improvement was maintained at 6 months of follow up. This happened after mean injection of 2.5 times per eye over 6 months period. No major ocular or systemic treatment related adverse events were observed. ConclusionPatients who received IVA as initial therapy for macular edema from diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, and neovascular AMD has a significant mean VA improvement which was maintained up to 6 months. Short term results show that IVA is effective and safe.