Intravitreal bevacizumab (avastin) for choroidal neovascularization secondary to central serous chorioretinopathy, secondary to punctate inner choroidopathy, or of idiopathic origin.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab in the treatment of idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and CNV secondary to central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) or punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC).


METHODS
Prospective, nonrandomized, interventional case series.


METHODS
In an institutional clinical practice, 15 patients were recruited; nine had idiopathic CNV, two had CNV secondary to CSC, and four had CNV attributable to PIC. Patients received three monthly 1.25-mg intravitreal bevacizumab injections for three months. Patients were followed for six months, and the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescein angiography (FA) findings, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) central foveal thickness (CFT) were assessed.


RESULTS
At baseline, the mean logMAR BCVA was 0.48 (Snellen equivalent = 20/60). The mean logMAR BCVA improved significantly to 0.25 (Snellen equivalent = 20/36) and 0.17 (Snellen equivalent = 20/30) at one and six months, respectively (both P = .001). The mean OCT CFT reduced from 306 microm at baseline to 201 microm at six months (P < .001). All eyes (100%) had visual improvement of 1 line or more at six months, and 11 (73.3%) improved by 2 or more lines. FA showed absence of CNV leakage, the angiographic end point, at three months, and no recurrence was observed at six months in all eyes. No systemic or ocular adverse events were encountered.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal bevacizumab injections resulted in visual and anatomic improvements in eyes with idiopathic CNV and CNV attributable to CSC or PIC. Further studies are warranted to assess the long-term safety and the regimen for optimal efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab.
Chan
Wai-Man
WM
Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China. cwm6373@netvigator.com
Lai
Timothy Y Y
TY
Liu
David T L
DT
Lam
Dennis S C
DS
D000328:Adult; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000150:complications; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D044967:Serum; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; 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