title: [Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) iniections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD)--preliminary results].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate effects of intravitreal bevacizumab on visual acuity and angiographic lesions characteristics in patients with neovascular AMD and to report safety of such treatement.
  
  
  METHODS
  32 patients with confirmed choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) and AMD were treated. Patients received 2 intravitreal bevacizumabu (1.25 mg) iniections on 1-3 months basis. Control ophthalmic evaluations included visual acuity measurements with EDTRS charts, intraocular pressure measurements, complete ophthalmic examination in slit lamp, fluorescein angiography and blond pressure measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 18 patients (56%) visual acuity improvement at a mean 3 lines on EDTRS charts was observed, in 9 patients (28%) visual acuity did not change and in 5 (16%) cases decreased visual acuity (about 1,5 lines in EDTRS charts) was noted. Mean follow-up period was 3 months after second injection. In most study eyes fluorescein angiography revealed a marked reduction in leakage from CNV. Apart from one case with endophthalmitis symptoms after second bevacizumab injection, we did not observed systemic or ocular adverse effects of the applied treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term results suggest that intravitreal bevacizumab is relatively safe form of AMD treatement and is associated with improvement in visual acuity and reduction in angiographic leakage in most patients with neovascular AMD. Further evaluation of the long-term effectiveness of this treatment is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Katedry i I Kliniki Okulistyki Akademii Medycznej w Lublinie.
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mackiewicz
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mańkowska
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dolar-Szczasny
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zubilewicz
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oleszczuk
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nowomiejska
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rejdak
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zagórski
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000187:drug effects; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects*; D014822:Vitreous Body
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab