Abstract
Purpose::
To investigate the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin®) in the management of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).
Methods::
Clinical records of 14 patients (14 eyes) with PCV were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnosis of PCV was confirmed with indocyanine green angiography. The patients were refractory to or not eligible for photodynamic therapy. All patients received an injection of 1.25 mg/0.05 cc intravitreal bevacizumab and followed up for three months. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measured by ETDRS chart and central macular thickness measured by ocular coherent tomography 3 (OCT3) were obtained before and 1 and 3 months after the intravitreal injections.
Results::
The ETDRS score at baseline was 17.64 ± 4.7 (mean ± SD) letters. The visual acuities were 17.14 ± 4.1 letters at 1 month and 18.35 ± 4.4 letters at 3 months. The change in ETDRS scores from a baseline value was not significant at all time points. Twelve of 14 eyes (85.7%) have stable or improved visual acuities when compared to the baseline values. The mean ± SD central macular thickness were 228 ± 32.01um, 175 ± 27.28um and 248 ± 47.71um at baseline, 1month and 3 months after the injections. The changes in central macular thickness were not significant at all time points.
Conclusions::
The intravitreal bevacizumab injection as a sole treatment for PCV provided stabilization of visual acuities for 3 months but the reduction in central macular thickness was transient as to macular edema recurred at 3 months. The further investigations are necessary to determine the interval of repeated injections and confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of the intravitreal bevacizumab injection.