Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate a retrospective monocenter, consecutive, non randomized interventional case series of 31 eyes with macular choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathological myopia and the results of combination therapy with intravitreal Avastin and photodynamic therapy (PDT).
Methods: :
All patients underwent a visual acuity (VA) measurement by ETDRS chart, byomicroscopic fundus examination, fluorescein angiography (FAG), intravitreal injection of Avastin 004 cc. followed within 10 days by PDT. The antiangiogenic therapy was repeated if useful, associated with PDT only if necessary. Determinations for retreatment were based on visual acuity, presence of metamorphopsia and leakage during FAG. The mean number of injection was 2.8 and the mean number of PDT was 1.7 for each patient.
Results: :
31 eyes were examined with a mean follow up of 12 months (range 6 to 32 monts). In 19 eyes (61,29%) VA improved 2 ETDRS lines or more. In 12 eyes (38,7%) VA improved 3 ETDRS lines or more. In 10 eyes (32,25%) VA remained stable (considering a variation inferior to 2 ETDRS lines). In 1 eye there was a visual loss of 3 ETDRS lines. None of the patients developed ocular or systemic complications related to the therapy.
Conclusions: :
After combined therapy 96,77% of eyes improved or had a stabilized VA. 58,6% had a final VA of 20/40 or more and 19,35% had a final VA of 20/25 or more. These results suggest that combined therapy of intravitreal Avastin injections and PDT may increase the possibility of improving or stabilizing visual acuity and reduce the retreatment rate in patients with myopic CNV.
Keywords: myopia • neovascularization • injection