Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) injection in retinitis pigmentosa.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and report the effectiveness, visual, anatomical, and clinical outcome of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) injection in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).


METHODS
Our prospective study included 13 eyes of 7 patients (4 women and 3 men) in the age range of 25-69 years (mean 44.14 years) with cystoid macular edema (CME) secondary to RP. Intravitreal bevacizumab at a dose of 1.25 mg/0.05 ml was injected via a 28-gauge needle. The response rate to treatment was monitored functionally by visual acuity assessment and anatomically using the optical coherence tomography.


RESULTS
The baseline mean central macular thickness was 370.15 microm (range 245-603 microm. The central macular thickness decreased to 142.53 microm (range 124-168 microm) after bevacizumab injections. The pre- and post-treatment visual acuity ranges were 5/400-20/100 and 20/200-20/63, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data reveal that intravitreal bevacizumab administration is effective for the treatment of CME in RP. Further studies with a larger population and longer follow-up period are warranted to assess the efficacy of the treatment.
Yuzbasioglu
Erdal
E
Bilim University, Istanbul, Turkey. erdalyuzbasioglu@mynet.com
Artunay
Ozgur
O
Rasier
Rifat
R
Sengul
Alper
A
Bahcecioglu
Halil
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000473:pathology; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014822:Vitreous Body
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab