Abstract
Purpose: :
To compare the efficacy of ranibizumab (Lucentis) with bevacizumab (Avastin) in treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Methods: :
A retrospective, comparative case series. Visual acuity at 6 months and 12 months and the number of injections given during this follow up period were compared for the two groups who were treated on as needed basis according to the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings.
Results: :
A total of 56 eyes of 56 patients were included. The average age at baseline visit was 80.3 years (standard deviation [SD]: 8.1, range: 57-94). Thirty-four eyes were treated with Lucentis and 22 eyes with Avastin. For the Lucentis group, average age was 80.3 y (SD: 8.11, range: 63-94). Average visual acuity was 20/85 (range: 20/30 to 20/1000) at baseline, 20/86 (range: 20/25 to 20/1000) at six months, and 20/92 (range 20/25 to 3/200) at 12 months. The baseline visual acuity was not statistically different than viasual acuity at 6-month (p=0.98) or 12-month (p=0.36). The average number of injections given was 7.8 (SD: 2.7, range: 3-13). For the Avastin group, average age was 80.4 y (SD: 8.18, range: 57-91). Average visual acuity was 20/152 (range: 20/25 to hand motions at 2 ft) at baseline, 20/84 (range: 20/30 to 1/200) at six months, and 20/63 (range 20/25 to 20/500) at 12 months. The baseline visual acuity was not statistically different than at 6-month (p=0.09) or 12-month (p=0.09). The average number of injections given was 6.6 (SD: 1.6, range: 4-9). The average age was not statistically different between the groups (p=0.93). Visual acuities were not statistically different between the groups at baseline (p=0.14), 6 months (p=0.96), or 12 months (p=0.16).The number of injections given was not statistically different between the groups (p=0.066). OCT foveal thickness, 1mm thickness, and 1 mm volume measurements were improved and statistically different from baseline at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months of follow up (all p-values < 0.03).
Conclusions: :
There was no statistical difference between Lucentis and Avastin treated patients for AMD with regards to visual acuity or number of injections with 12 months of follow up in this small retrospective case series. OCT findings were improved over baseline at all follow up visits.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • drug toxicity/drug effects • retina