title: Intravitreal bevacizumab for treatment-naïve subfoveal occult choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of multiple injections of intravitreal bevacizumab for treatment-naïve subfoveal occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve eyes of 12 patients (mean age 76 +/- 6 years) with mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/100 and occult subfoveal CNV at fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine-green (ICG) angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT), showing intra- or subretinal fluid with or without retinal pigment epithelial detachment (PED), underwent multiple intravitreal injections (mean 2.4 +/- 0.7) of 1.25 mg (0.05 ml) bevacizumab. Visual acuity and OCT findings were assessed at the end of follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a mean follow-up of 5.7 +/- 2 months, BCVA improved from 20/100 (range 20/50-20/303) to 20/60 (range 20/28-20/200) (p = 0.038). Five eyes (42%) increased BCVA by > or = 3 lines, six eyes (50%) increased BCVA by < 3 lines and one eye (8%) remained stable. Macular thickness decreased from 298 +/- 71 microm to 223 +/- 72 microm (p = 0.017). No ocular or systemic side-effects were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term results suggest that multiple intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg bevacizumab are well tolerated and associated with significant improvements in BCVA and decreased retinal thickness by OCT in most patients with treatment-naïve occult CNV. Further evaluation of intravitreal bevacizumab for the treatment of occult CNV is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, Bari, Italy. caf.furino@libero.it
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Furino
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boscia
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Recchimurzo
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Besozzi
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cardascia
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sborgia
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Niro
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sborgia
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005584:Fovea Centralis; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D007267:Injections; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000473:pathology; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D014822:Vitreous Body
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D004396:Coloring Agents; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D007208:Indocyanine Green