[Treatment with bevacizumab in exudative age-related macular degeneration].
OBJECTIVE
evaluation of the treatment with bevacizumab for advanced exudative AMD.


METHODS
prospective study on 163 patients (December 2006-February 2009). All patients received a series of 3 intravitreal injections with bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) at 6 weeks intervals followed by surveillance and continuation or restart of therapy based on clinical criteria and central macular thickness (CMT). The series was subdivided in three groups based on initial VA (VA < or = 0, 1; VA = 0, 1-0, 3; VA > or = 0,3).


RESULTS
Final VA increased or remained constant in 88% of patients. VA increased in all three groups: from 0.029 to 0.069 in the first group; from 0.152 to 0.245 in the second group; and from 0.409 to 0.612 in the third group. In all three groups the increase in VA achieved statistical significance (p < 0.001). The whole series manifested an anatomical improvement (final mean CMT of 243.3 microm, as compared to initial mean CMT of 345.3 microm).


CONCLUSIONS
intravitreal treatment with bevacizumab is efficient but should be followed by aggressive follow-up and rapid resume of the treatment if recurrence is diagnosed.
Dimofte
Doina
D
Cabinetul Oftalmologic Medoptica Iasi. DOINADIMOFTE@YAHOO.COM
Danielescu
C
C
Chiseliţă
D
D
D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D056965:Injections, Intraocular; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000187:drug effects*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D057135:Wet Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab