Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate visual acuity and anatomical outcomes after treatment with intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated to angioids streaks.
Methods: :
Retrospective study on long term follow-up of 5 patients with a CNV associated to angioid streaks who were treated with one or more injections of intravitreal Bevacizumab. Five patients were included in this study. Mean age was 36 years old with a range of 22-44 years. Best-corrected Snellen visual acuities, optical coherence tomography measurements, fluorescein angiography and ophthalmoscopic examination at baseline and at each follow-up visit were performed. Retreatment was performed if leakage and/or fluid were present associated or not with low visual acuity. Follow-up ranged from 15 to 28 months.
Results: :
All patients had a disciform scar in the other eye. Baseline visual acuities ranged in all patients was count finger from 1 to 3 m and final visual acuities ranged from 20/200 to 20/20. All of the eyes showed an improvement in visual acuity and one patient recovered to 20/20. Mean time to complane low visual acuity to get the injection was 46,4 days (7 - 60 days), All the eyes ware treated at least 4 injections of Bevacizumab (4-13 injections) and all patients had to treated at least for 8 months . Mean baseline central foveal thickness by OCT was 336 micras , and mean final thickness was 267 micras. Reduction in membrane size by fluorescein angiography was noted in all patients. No ocular or systemic adverse events were found.
Conclusions: :
Reduction in CNV membrane size, leakage and foveal thickness by OCT were observed in all eyes. Intravitreal Bevacizumab appears to be effective in stabilizing and recover visual acuity in eyes with CNV associated to Angioids Streaks. Patients with early symptoms might get better benefits. Further studies must be done and should elucidate the potential benefit of this treatment.
Keywords: choroid: neovascularization • drug toxicity/drug effects • vitreous