Intravitreal ranibizumab versus bevacizumab for treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To compare intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) and intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) in the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with pathologic myopia.

METHODS:

Fifty-five patients fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomized either to IVB or to IVR. After the first injection, re-treatments were performed on a pro re nata basis in monthly examinations over an 18-month follow-up. Primary outcome measures were the change in mean best-corrected visual acuity and the proportion of eyes improving in best-corrected visual acuity by >1 and >3 lines at the 18-month examination.

RESULTS:

Forty-eight eyes received the treatment and were subsequently included in the analysis. At the 18-month examination, a significant improvement of 1.7 lines and 1.8 lines compared with baseline were noticed in the IVR and IVB subgroups, respectively. The difference in the final mean best-corrected visual acuity between the groups was not significant. A 3-line gain or higher was noted in 30% of eyes in the IVR subgroup and 44% of eyes in the IVB subgroup. Although both groups attained a significant improvement in central macular thickness, the IVR subgroup achieved a faster central macular thickness reduction. A significantly lower number of injections were administered in the IVR subgroup (2.5) compared with the IVB subgroup (4.7; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

Intravitreal ranibizumab and IVB are effective in the treatment of subfoveal myopic choroidal neovascularization. Intravitreal ranibizumab achieved greater efficacy than IVB in terms of the mean number of injections administered.

• Authors: Pierluigi Iacono, Maurizio Battaglia Parodi, Alessandro Papayannis, Stylianos Kontadakis, Saumil Sheth, Maria Lucia Cascavilla, Francesco Bandello
• Journal: Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.) (Retina) Vol. 32 Issue 8 Pg. 1539-46 (Sep 2012) ISSN: 1539-2864 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22922846 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• VEGFA protein, human
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Bevacizumab
• Ranibizumab

Topics

• Aged
• Angiogenesis Inhibitors (administration & dosage)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized (administration & dosage)
• Bevacizumab
• Choroidal Neovascularization (drug therapy, etiology, physiopathology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Fluorescein Angiography
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Intravitreal Injections
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Myopia, Degenerative (complications, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Prospective Studies
• Ranibizumab
• Retreatment
• Tomography, Optical Coherence
• Treatment Outcome
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Visual Acuity (physiology)