Electrophysiological assessment of retinal function during 6 months of bevacizumab treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the alteration of retinal function by multifocal electroretinography and full-field electroretinography in patients with age-related macular degeneration treated with bevacizumab.


METHODS
We performed a prospective pilot study of 26 eyes of 26 previously treatment-naïve patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration receiving intravitreal injections with 1.25 mg bevacizumab. Patients were examined with multifocal electroretinography, full-field electroretinography, optical coherence tomography, and visual acuity. Follow-up was performed at 1 week, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.


RESULTS
Mean multifocal electroretinography P1 amplitudes were significantly improved at 1 week in the central zone and after 3 and 6 months, improvement was seen in all 6 concentric rings corresponding to +/-25 degrees of the central visual field. Full-field electroretinography results indicated a decrease in cone photoreceptor function at 3 months, which was normalized at 6 months compared with baseline. Furthermore, 2 of 3 of the combined rod-cone responses showed signs of decreased retinal function at 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate passing signs of an altered retinal cone photoreceptor function assessed by full-field electroretinography. The results do not show any conclusive signs of global retinal toxicity after 6 months. Multifocal electroretinography results show improved photoreceptor function with no sign of focal toxicity in the central retina.
Pedersen
Karen Bjerg
KB
Department of Ophthalmology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. karenbjerg@yahoo.dk
Møller
Flemming
F
Sjølie
Anne Katrin
AK
Andréasson
Sten
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012160:Retina / Q000503:physiopathology*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; 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