Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab treatment in human eyes.
Methods: :
Seven patients underwent three consecutive intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.1 mL) four weeks apart. Cardiologic, blood and urinary analysis, as well as ophthalmologic exams including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using ETDRS charts, autofluorescence, electrooculogram, electroretinogram (ERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed before bevacizumab injection and after five, nine and 13 weeks from the first injection.
Results: :
At 13 weeks, the mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.89 logMAR (20/155) to 0.82 logMAR (20/130). The mean greatest linear dimension (GLD) was reduced from 6.509 ѵm to 4.650 ѵm. The mean central retinal thickness (CRT) reduced from 491 ѵm to 252 ѵm. ERG parameters were normal in all eyes during the entire follow-up period. No significant changes were observed in EOG results. The autofluorescence test showed no significant changes in the two evaluated patients. Conclusion: Final BCVA, GLD and CRT showed improvement compared to baseline parameters. No ocular adverse events were detected using 1.25 mg/0.1 ml of intravitreal bevacizumab. No electrocardiographic, blood or urinary changes were observed during the 13-week follow-up.
Conclusions: :
This data suggest that three sequential intravitreal injections of bevacizumab are safe (as shown during 13 weeks of follow-up) by clinical and electrophysiological evaluation. Additional larger studies with longer follow-up periods are warranted to confirm these preliminary data.
Keywords: macula/fovea • age-related macular degeneration