title: Intravitreal bevacizumab combined with photodynamic therapy for the treatment of occult choroidal neovascularization associated with serous pigment epithelium detachment in age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with serous pigment epithelium detachment (s-PED) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, six patients (six eyes) with subfoveal occult CNV associated with s-PED due to AMD were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab combined with PDT. All patients were treated at baseline with PDT followed by intravitreal bevacizumab 1.25 mg 1 hour later. Afterwards, according to the findings of optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography, repeat bevacizumab injections were given, if necessary, monthly for three doses followed by further doses every 3 months. PDT was repeated every 3 months according to the same criteria. Follow-up time was 9 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients completed their treatment during the first 3 months from baseline. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved or remained stable related to the baseline values in all patients at the end of the follow-up time. Mean BCVA improved from 20/67 to 20/42. S-PED and subretinal fluid decreased or disappeared. The mean central 1-mm retinal thickness was reduced from baseline value for the 9-month follow-up period by 128 microm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravitreal bevacizumab combined with PDT seems to be a promising treatment with good functional and anatomical results for occult CNV associated with s-PED due to AMD.
authors: 1st Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School of Athens University, Greece.
authors: Ioannis D
authors: ID
authors: Ladas
authors: Athanasios I
authors: AI
authors: Kotsolis
authors: Thanos D
authors: TD
authors: Papakostas
authors: Alexandros A
authors: AA
authors: Rouvas
authors: Dimitrios A
authors: DA
authors: Karagiannis
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Vergados
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity; 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