Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) for choroidal neovascularisation secondary to pathological myopia: 6-month results.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To determine the efficacy and safety of intravitreal Avastin (bevacizumab) in the treatment of choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to pathological myopia (PM).

METHODS:

This paper reports on a consecutive prospective study of patients with CNV secondary to PM who were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml). Patients underwent complete ophthalmic evaluation, which included best-corrected visual acuity testing measured with Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study charts, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography.

RESULTS:

There were 17 eyes of 17 patients, and the mean age was 55.4 (SD 10.0) years. At the 6-month follow-up, the mean visual acuity improved by 8.4 letters (p = 0.04). Forty-one per cent of patients increased at least one line, and 17% increased more than six lines. There were no cases of moderate vision loss (>or=3 lines) or severe vision loss (>or=6 lines). The mean OCT foveal thickness decreased by 79.6 mum (p = 0.002). Favourable outcomes were obtained in all subgroups. Patients received an average of one injection. As a complication, there was a tear of the retinal pigment epithelium. No other ocular or systemic side effects were observed.

CONCLUSION:

In our study, intravitreal bevacizumab appeared to be safe and efficacious in eyes with CNV secondary to PM.

• Authors: L Arias, N Planas, S Prades, J M Caminal, M Rubio, O Pujol, G Roca
• Journal: The British journal of ophthalmology (Br J Ophthalmol) Vol. 92 Issue 8 Pg. 1035-9 (Aug 2008) ISSN: 1468-2079 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 18653595 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Bevacizumab

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Angiogenesis Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Bevacizumab
• Choroidal Neovascularization (drug therapy, etiology, physiopathology)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Myopia, Degenerative (complications, physiopathology)
• Prospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Visual Acuity (drug effects)