To evaluate the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab and to investigate the concentrations of cytokine in the aqueous humors of patients with macular edema secondary to hemicentral retinal venous occlusion.

Fifteen eyes of 15 patients with macular edema secondary to hemicentral retinal venous occlusion received intravitreal bevacizumab injections and completed 12 months of follow-up. Cytokine levels were measured in the aqueous humors of these patients using a multiplex bead assay and the levels were compared with those of the controls.

During 12 months of follow-up, a mean of 4.5 intravitreal bevacizumab injections were performed. The visual acuity and the central macular thickness improved significantly ( p = 0.028, p = 0.000) after treatment. The levels of interleukin-6, vascular endothelial growth factor, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were increased in the aqueous humor compared with the levels in the control group ( p = 0.010, p = 0.045, p < 0.001).

Elevated cytokine levels were identified in the aqueous humor after hemicentral retinal venous occlusion. Intravitreal bevacizumab injections were effective for improvements in visual acuity and macular edema due to hemicentral retinal venous occlusion.