Abstract
Purpose::
To review our 6 month clinical experience in a private practice setting with BEVACIZUMAB (AVASTIN) in exudative AMD.
Methods::
Retrospective IRB approves review of 137 consecutive cases for 6 months. Intravitreal Avastin injections were administered every 6-8 weeks if there was evidence of an actively leaking CNVM. There were no excludion criteria.
Results::
â⑬¢ PREVIOUS TREATMENTS:33% had no previous treatment. DURATION OF WET AMD:58% > 2 years. Snellen VA change after 6 months was >+0.64 lines. Mean OCT change after 6 months was 294 microns less. P<.0001 ADVERSE EVENTS: 1 CVA (had 3 CVAs previously), 3 deaths (3 & 6 months after the injection), 2 from cancer, 1 from CHF, 1 retinal detachment.
Conclusions::
This study represents the real world since there was no exclusion criteria and many severe cases that would have been excluded from a standard prospective clinical trial.No significant safety concerns. More efficacious than MACUGEN and PDT (as monotherapy). Probably equally effective as LUCENTIS.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • choroid: neovascularization • drug toxicity/drug effects