Abstract
Purpose::
To define the role of intravitreal bevacizumab in individuals with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS).
Methods::
28 eyes of 28 patients with OHS complicated by CNV underwent intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg bevacizumab. Some patients had previously failed photodynamic therapy. Data was accrued via retrospective chart review.
Results::
The average pre-treatment LogMAR visual acuity was 0.65 (Snellen equivalent of 20/88). Ongoing mean follow-up was 22.4 weeks and on average, treatment amounted to 1.8 intravitreal injections. Average final LogMAR visual acuity was 0.43 (Snellen equivalent of 20/54). 4 eyes (14%) experienced decreased central acuity at the end of the observation period (mean decrease of 0.37 LogMAR units [standard error of the mean (SEM) = 0.18]). 4 eyes (14%) maintained their visual acuity. The remaining 20 eyes (71%) experienced an increase in central visual acuity (mean improvement of 0.38 LogMAR units [SEM = 0.06]).
Conclusions::
Intravitreal bevacizumab may improve or stabilize visual acuity in a significant majority of patients with neovascular complications of OHS (85% in our our study population). Further studies are needed to help delineate criteria for patient selection and to corroborate our findings.
Keywords: choroid: neovascularization • chorioretinitis • injection