Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) for Choroidal Neovascularization in Angioid Streaks: A Small Case Series

Abstract

Purpose:: to report visual and angiographic results after intravitreal (IV) Bevacizumab (Avastin, Roche) injection for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in patients with angioid streaks (AS).

Methods:: 6 eyes of 5 patients with angioid streaks were treated with IV Bevacizumab (1, 25 mg). All cases had an history of photodynamic treatment (PDT) or laser treatment and all showed a progressive worsening although these therapies. After injection patients were followed-up at 2 months interval. At each visit best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was tested and fluorangiography (FA) was performed. IV Avastin was repeated in case of recurrence. Only one case was treated combining photodynamic therapy (PDT) and IV Avastin.

Results:: Cases were followed up for 11-4 months. All eyes showed an improvement in BCVA after every injection and a slight reduction of leakage and greatest linear dimension (GLD) in FA. All cases neeeded more IV injections. At present time only the patient treated with PDT and Avastin injection showed a slight reduction of BCVA; the other five eyes presented an improvement on their baseline condition (BCVA and FA features).

Conclusions:: The small number of cases treated with IV Avastin and the limited follow-up doesn’t allow to state a definitive efficacy of this treatment for CNV in AS, but our results are very encouraging. Further investigations are needed to consider IV Avastin an effective treatment of this aggressive disease.

Keywords: choroid: neovascularization • drug toxicity/drug effects • injection