title: Visual and optical coherence tomography outcomes of intravitreal bevacizumab and ranibizumab in inflammatory choroidal neovascularization secondary to punctate inner choroidopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Choroidal neovascular membranes (CNV) are the major cause of visual loss in punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC), an idiopathic inflammatory condition predominantly affecting young, myopic women. We present a case series of 9 patients with CNV associated with PIC, treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective case series of 9 patients treated with either intravitreal bevacizumab or ranibizumab for inflammatory CNV secondary to PIC. Initial and posttreatment converted logMAR visual acuity, fundus fluorescein angiograms (FFA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), previous and concurrent treatments, and side effects were recorded. Informed consent for treatment was obtained from each patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine patients (8 female, 1 male) with an average age of 34.4 years were treated for an average of 14.9 months. Six patients were treated with bevacizumab, and 3 with ranibizumab, with a mean of 2.34 injections per year. The mean visual acuity gain for the whole group of 9 patients was 0.26 converted logMAR units (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p<0.015). Eight patients remained stable or had visual improvement at final follow-up, with a mean gain of 0.36 converted logMAR units. Only one patient's vision deteriorated (loss of 0.48 converted logMAR units). Concomitant short courses of oral corticosteroid were used in 3 of the 9 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over a 1-year period, bevacizumab and ranibizumab can be safely and successfully used to treat inflammatory CNV secondary to PIC, avoiding the need for systemic immunosuppression in the majority of patients.
authors.affiliation: Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, UK. kurtsc01@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Kurt Spiteri
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Cornish
authors.forename: Graeme J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Gavin
authors.forename: Fraser R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Imrie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015866:Uveitis, Posterior / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab