The effect of intravitreal bevacizumab in the treatment of Coats disease in children.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine if intravitreal bevacizumab can reduce subretinal exudates and exudative retinal detachment and facilitate the treatment of Coats disease in children.


METHODS
Prospective, interventional, and noncomparative case series of three eyes in three children with Coats disease were studied. All eyes received only intravitreal bevacizumab injection as the primary treatment. Ablative procedures, including cryotherapy, traditional continuous wave laser, or subthreshold diode micropulse laser, for diseased vessels were performed after subretinal fluid totally reabsorbed. One supplementary intravitreal bevacizumab injection was given after ablative procedures on the same day. The changes in pre- and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity were recorded. Serial color fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, and B-scan sonography were performed to measure treatment efficacy.


RESULTS
After receiving one to three injections, all three patients had subretinal fluid completely reabsorbed. All patients had one session of subsequent ablative procedures for diseased vessels and supplementary intravitreal bevacizumab injection. No patients had recurrent subretinal fluid. Improved visual acuity was noted in two cases but was not detectable in the other. No ocular or systemic complications related to bevacizumab were noted during the entire course of follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal bevacizumab appears to be a well-tolerated treatment for children with Coats disease. A favorable response is observed when compared with other treatment modalities. It has the potential as an adjuvant therapy of vascular ablative procedures to improve final vision and facilitate ongoing treatment.
Lin
Chun-Ju
CJ
Department of Ophthalmology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.
Hwang
Jiunn-Feng
JF
Chen
Yan-Ting
YT
Chen
San-Ni
SN
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002648:Child; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab