Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a short-term study.
OBJECTIVE
To report the short-term study of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).


METHODS
Interventional, consecutive, prospective case series.


METHODS
One hundred and two eyes of 102 patients with neovascular AMD received monthly intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) (1.25 mg) until resolution of macular edema, subretinal fluid, and/or pigment epithelial detachment. Outcome measures included visual acuity (VA) and central retinal thickness as defined from optical coherence tomography (OCT).


RESULTS
Mean VA was 20/80 and OCT central retinal thickness was 251.0 +/- 74.6 microm before injection and improved to 20/63 and 214.9 +/- 41.7 microm at six weeks (P < .001), 20/50 and 204.8 +/- 33.6 microm at 10 weeks (P < .001), and remained stable at 20/50 and 210 microm after 14 weeks (P < .05). No significant ocular or systemic side effects were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) appears to be beneficial and well tolerated in the treatment of neovascular AMD in the short term. Further comparative evaluation against other antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents and dosing schedule is warranted.
Chen
Christine Y
CY
Center for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Wong
Tien Y
TY
Heriot
Wilson J
WJ
D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab