title: Intravitreal bevacizumab for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with pattern dystrophy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab injections in the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with pattern dystrophy (PD) of the retinal pigment epithelium.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a prospective, nonrandomized, open-label, interventional clinical trial in which 12 patients were prospectively enrolled. Patients with a diagnosis of PD complicated by subfoveal CNV were considered for the study. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, including ETDRS visual acuity measurement, electroretinogram, electrooculogram, optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiography. The treatment protocol began with a loading dose of three consecutive injections at 1-month intervals, followed by injections administered as needed, according to OCT parameters and angiographic features observed during a 24-month follow-up period. The number of eyes with a visual acuity loss of fewer than 15 letters (<3 ETDRS lines), compared with baseline measures, was recorded at the 6-, 12-, and 24-month examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients completed the planned visits and were included in the study. A visual acuity loss of fewer than 15 letters was not registered in any case at the 6- and 12-month examinations and was found in only one (8%) patient at the 24-month examination. The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the mean central macular thickness (CMT) at baseline were 0.73+/-0.34 (logMAR+/-SD) and 276+/-95 microm (SD), respectively. At the 3-month examination, the mean BCVA significantly improved to 0.48+/-0.27, whereas the mean CMT decreased to 220+/-71 microm. At the 12-month examination, the mean BCVA was 0.45+/-0.24, and the mean CMT was 209+/-53 microm. At the 24-month (last) follow-up, the BCVA showed substantial stabilization and the CMT decreased to 199+/-34 microm. No side effects or complications were registered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravitreal bevacizumab injection is a beneficial treatment for subfoveal CNV associated with PD. Further studies are warranted to confirm these initial results and to analyze the morphofunctional changes during the follow-up. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00391144.).
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Vita-Salute, Scientific Institute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio Battaglia
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Parodi
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iacono
authors.forename: Marialucia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cascavilla
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zucchiatti
authors.forename: Dimitrios Stylianos
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kontadakis
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bandello
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005584:Fovea Centralis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D056965:Injections, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D014822:Vitreous Body
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab