The results of intravitreal bevacizumab injections for persistent neovascularizations in proliferative diabetic retinopathy after photocoagulation therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intravitreal bevacizumab on persistent retinal neovascularizations in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.


METHODS
Thirty-three eyes of 24 patients (mean age, 52.75 +/- 8.2 years) with proliferative diabetic retinopathy showing recurrences or no regressions in neovascularizations were evaluated in this study. After the intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg/0.05 mL of bevacizumab, the first examination was performed within 3 days and repeated at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. In these examinations, localization and dimensions of neovascularizations were evaluated with red-free photographs and/or fluorescein angiography.


RESULTS
All patients had type II diabetes for a period of 12 +/- 4.4 years (range, 2-20 years). After a single dose of bevacizumab, complete resolution rate of neovascularizations was 78.8% at 1 month, 63.6% at 3 months, and 45.4% at 6 months. When evaluated together with 9 eyes that had a second injection at 3 months, the complete resolution rate was 60.6% at 6 months. Mean best-corrected visual acuity and macular volume were 1.06 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (20/225 in Snellen) and 11.65 mm3 before treatment. Six months after treatment, these were 0.73 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (20/108 in Snellen) and 8.92 mm3 (P = 0.048 and 0.003, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Bevacizumab can be used safely and successfully in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy who do not experience any resolution or experience recurrences after panretinal photocoagulation.
Department of Ophthalmology, Karadeniz Technical University, School of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey.
Hidayet
H
Erdol
Adem
A
Turk
Nurettin
N
Akyol
Halil I
HI
Imamoglu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab