Bevacizumab (avastin) and ranibizumab (lucentis) for choroidal neovascularization in multifocal choroiditis.
BACKGROUND
Multifocal choroiditis (MFC) is an inflammatory condition, occasionally associated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Bevacizumab (Avastin) and ranibizumab (Lucentis) are therapies that target vascular endothelial growth factor. Bevacizumab and ranibizumab have been used successfully to treat CNV in age-related and myopic macular degeneration.


OBJECTIVE
: To describe the treatment of MFC-associated CNV with intravitreal bevacizumab and/or ranibizumab.


METHODS
Retrospective interventional case series.


METHODS
Six eyes of five patients with MFC-associated CNV were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab and/or ranibizumab.


METHODS
Visual acuity at 1, 3, and 6 months after the initial injection.


RESULTS
Previous therapies (number of eyes treated) included sub-Tenon's corticosteroids (2), intravitreal corticosteroids (1), photodynamic therapy (1), and thermal laser (1). The mean number (range) of antivascular endothelial growth factor injections per eye was 2.3 (1-6). The mean duration (range) of follow-up per patient was 41.5 (25-69) weeks. Five of six eyes improved to 20/30 acuity or better at 6 months. One eye suffered a subfoveal rip of the retinal pigment epithelium with 20/400 acuity. There was a qualitative decrease in clinical and angiographic evidence of CNV.


CONCLUSIONS
Bevacizumab and ranibizumab were effective at improving visual acuity over 6 months in a small series of patients with MFC-associated CNV. Tears of the retinal pigment epithelium may occur after intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy in MFC-associated CNV.
Fine
Howard F
HF
LuEsther T. Mertz Retinal Research Center, Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital, New York, New York, USA. h_f_fine@yahoo.com
Zhitomirsky
Inna
I
Freund
K Bailey
KB
Barile
Gaetano R
GR
Shirkey
Belinda L
BL
Samson
C Michael
CM
Yannuzzi
Lawrence A
LA
D000328:Adult; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002833:Choroiditis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab