[Intravitreal bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularization due to pathological myopia].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab as a treatment for choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) due to pathological myopia.


METHODS
A consecutive series of 23 patients with mCNV treated with 1.25 mg intravitreal bevacizumab after being thoroughly informed about the off-label character of the treatment. Of the patients 6 received additional photodynamic therapy at the time of first injection. Reinjections were given every 6 weeks if intraretinal or subretinal fluid persisted.


RESULTS
The pre-injection mean visual acuity (VA) was 0.25 (0.58 logMAR+/-0.36). During a follow up of 16.6+/-13.7 weeks 1.4+/-0.8 injections were given. Complete resorption of subretinal or intraretinal fluid was achieved in all patients. VA improved by 2.3+/-3.5 lines on average, 9 patients (39.1%) had an increase of >or=3 lines, none lost more than 1 line. Patients with bevacizumab monotherapy (n=17) had an improvement of 2.59+/-3.9 lines, 7 patients (41.2%) had an increase of >or=3 lines. No intraocular or systemic side effects were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
In this as yet largest series of patients with mCNV treated with intravitreal bevacizumab, the treatment seemed to be effective and safe.
Dithmar
S
S
Schwerpunkt Retinologie, Universitäts-Augenklinik, Heidelberg, Deutschland. stefan.dithmar@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Schaal
K B
KB
Höh
A E
AE
Schmidt
S
S
Schütt
F
F
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014822:Vitreous Body
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab