Bevacizumab in macular edema: functional and anatomic changes in a prospective case series.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the early rate of change of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal sensitivity, neuroretinal and choroidal thickness in patients with macular edema after 1.25 mg/0.05 ml intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA).


METHODS
A prospective, nonrandomized, interventional study. Thirty-seven consecutive eyes with macular edema were included in the study. For all eyes, BCVA, central retinochoroidal thickness at standardized A-scan, central retinal thickness, and central retinal sensitivity recorded with a spectral scanning laser ophthalmoscope optical coherence tomography/microperimeter device were evaluated at baseline and 7, 15, 30, 37, 45, and 60 days after initial treatment. All patients received 2 intravitreal bevacizumab injections at 1-month interval.


RESULTS
A significant although not related improvement of BCVA and retinal sensitivity was seen after 1 month and 2 months of follow-up. Anatomic improvement only involved the neuroretina, although significant changes of central choroidal thickness were not detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema determines significant early functional and anatomic improvements.
Forte
Raimondo
R
Eye Department, University Federico II, Naples, Italy. raifor@hotmail.com
Cennamo
Gilda
G
Vecchio
Elisabetta Chiariello
EC
Tenore
Raffaele
R
Aufiero
Bernardino
B
de Crecchio
Giuseppe
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002829:Choroid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012160:Retina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000379:methods
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab