Fundus Autofluorescence Evaluation in Exudative Macular Degeneration After Intravitreal Bevacizumab Treatment

Abstract

Purpose: : to evaluate the predictive value of fundus autofluorescence after intravitreal bevacizumab treatment in exudative age related macular degeneration.

Results: : On evaluated patients, baseline mean VA was 0.3 and mean central macular thickness (CMT) was 550µm; at day 90, 0.34 and 460 µm; at day 180, mean VA was 0.35 and CMT 483 µm. At baseline macular AF appeared increased in all 23 patients. At day 90, AF was increased in 7 patients (30.5%), decreased in 5 (21.7%), stable in 11 (47.8%) patients. At day 180, AF was increased in 3 (13%) patients, decreased in 1 (4%), stable in 19 (83%) patients. Our data analysis showed at day 180 a visual improvement in 4 patients (20%) with stable FAF and on the patient with decreased macular FAF; visual acuity decreased significantly in all 3 patients with increased FAF at day 180. Visual acuity remained stable in 6 patients (33%) with unchanged FAF.

Conclusions: : Our study showed the prognostic factor of FAF in patients treated with antiVEGF for exudative AMD. A decrease or stability of FAF during follow up was related to a VA preservation or improvement; increasing FAF with VA worsening. The evaluation of retinal-pigment epithelium degeneration, according to angiography and OCT examination represents a new functional parameter for anti VEGF treatment. Further studies will be performed with microperimetry evaluation, to better investigate functional parameters aside visual acuity as retinal fixation and macular sensibility.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • imaging/image analysis: clinical • vascular endothelial growth factor