[Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) iniections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD)--preliminary results].
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.
Mackiewicz
Jerzy
J
Katedry i I Kliniki Okulistyki Akademii Medycznej w Lublinie.
Mańkowska
Anna
A
Dolar-Szczasny
Joanna
J
Zubilewicz
Anna
A
Oleszczuk
Agnieszka
A
Nowomiejska
Katarzyna
K
Rejdak
Robert
R
Zagórski
Zbigniew
Z
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
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab