Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate functional and anatomic effects of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in patients with neovascular age related macular degeneration (AMD) and initial low visual acuity
Methods: :
Our retrospective consecutive case series included 37 patients (38 eyes) with neovascular AMD and initial visual acuity of 20/200 or less. All patients were treated with IVB 1.25 mg/0.05 ml. IVB were repeated monthly in case of subretinal and or intraretinal fluid detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Patients were observed for a period of up to 12 months. We evaluated changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with ETDRS charts, quality of vision and central retinal thickness using OCT.
Results: :
The mean duration of follow up was 14.1 months (12 to 24 months). Mean BCVA improved significantly from 20/400 (1,38 logMAR) to 20/250 (1,17 logMAR) (p<0,001). At final assessment, 11 eyes (28,9%) showed stable vision and 18 eyes (47.3%) gained 3 or more lines. Only 3 eyes (8%) experienced visual acuity worsening. Metamorphopsia, blurred vision and scotoma were consistently reduced inducing the improvement of quality of vision in all cases. Mean retinal thickness was significantly reduced from 404 µm to 291.50 µm (p<0,001). Mean number of IVB was 2.86
Conclusions: :
Intravitreal Bevacizumab injection may increase the chance of visual acuity gain in neovascular age-related macular degeneration even in cases with initial low visual acuity
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • low vision • choroid: neovascularization