Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of bevacizumab (AvastinTM), a recombinant monoclonal VEGF–antibody, in the treatment of occult choroidal neovascularization due to age–related macular degeneration.
Methods: :
Patients with occult choroidal neovascularization secondary to age–related macular degeneration, who had visual acuities (VA) between 20/32 and 20/100 were included in this study after having been thoroughly informed about the off–label character of the treatment. The patient received intravitreous bevacizumab (AvastinTM) every 4 weeks in a dosage of 1.25 mg. The changes in central retinal thickness as measured by Stratus OCTTM imaging were evaluated.
Results: :
8 patients have been enrolled in the study so far. No cases of endophthalmitis, traumatic cataract or retinal detachment occurred. There was no evidence of cataract progression or persistent intraocular pressure elevation following the bevacizumab injections. All patients tolerated the treatment very well, and no systemic serious adverse events were noticed. Three weeks after the first intravitreous injection, changes in the central retinal thickness were evident. The median and mean central retinal thickness decreased by 42.5 µm and 60.7 µm, respectively.
Conclusions: :
The intravitreal use of bevacizumab for neovascular AMD was well tolerated and seems to be promising. Follow–up is ongoing to determine the durability of this favorable outcome. Further studies are necessary to confirm the here presented results, to determine the best dosage and the need for reinjections.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • choroid: neovascularization