Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To report the short-term safety, biologic effect, and a possible mechanism of action of intravitreal bevacizumab in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).


METHODS
Interventional, consecutive, retrospective case series.


METHODS
Eighty-one eyes of 79 patients with subfoveal neovascular AMD.


METHODS
Patients received intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg) on a monthly basis until macular edema, subretinal fluid (SRF), and/or pigment epithelial detachment (PED) resolved. Ophthalmic evaluations included nonstandardized Snellen visual acuity (VA), complete ophthalmic examination, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography (OCT).


METHODS
Assessments of safety, changes in Snellen VA, OCT retinal thickness, and angiographic lesion characteristics were performed.


RESULTS
No significant ocular or systemic side effects were observed. Most patients (55%) had a reduction of >10% of baseline retinal thickness at 1 week after the injection. At 4 weeks after injection, 30 of 81 eyes demonstrated complete resolution of retinal edema, SRF, and PEDs. Of the 51 eyes with 8 weeks' follow-up, 25 had complete resolution of retinal thickening, SRF, and PEDs. At 1, 4, 8,and 12 weeks, the mean retinal thickness of the central 1 mm was decreased by 61, 92, 89, and 67 mum, respectively (P<0.0001 for 1, 4, and 8 weeks and P<0.01 for 12 weeks). At 4 and 8 weeks, mean VA improved from 20/200 to 20/125 (P<0.0001). Median vision improved from 20/200 to 20/80(-) at 4 weeks and from 20/200 to 20/80 at 8 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term results suggest that intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg) is well tolerated and associated with improvement in VA, decreased retinal thickness by OCT, and reduction in angiographic leakage in most patients, the majority of whom had previous treatment with photodynamic therapy and/or pegaptanib. Further evaluation of intravitreal bevacizumab for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization is warranted.
Avery
Robert L
RL
California Retina Consultants, Santa Barbara, California 93103, USA.
Pieramici
Dante J
DJ
Rabena
Melvin D
MD
Castellarin
Alessandro A
AA
Nasir
Ma'an A
MA
Giust
Matthew J
MJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005584:Fovea Centralis; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010211:Papilledema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000276:immunology; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab