title: Intravitreal ranibizumab in the treatment of predominantly hemorrhagic lesions in exudative age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Submacular hemorrhage is a manifestation of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that has a very poor natural history leading to severe visual loss. We have evaluated the safety and efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab in the treatment of predominantly hemorrhagic AMD.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of patients with predominantly hemorrhagic AMD treated with intravitreal ranibizumab at the Jules Gonin Eye Hospital between December 2006 and December 2008 was undertaken. Baseline and monthly follow-up exams included visual acuity (VA), fundus exam and optical coherence tomography (OCT) while fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography were performed at least every three months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 8 eyes. The mean follow-up was 13 months (SD: 6.3). The mean number of intravitreal injections administered for each patient was 6.4 (SD: 2). 50 % of the patients demonstrated stable or improved VA. The size of hemorrhage at baseline was inversely correlated to the final VA (two-tailed p value = 0.038) and positively correlated to the final central macular thickness (two-tailed p value = 0.021). Anticoagulation treatment was inversely correlated to the time of hemorrhage resolution (two-tailed p value = 0.039).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravitreal ranibizumab may be an effective treatment for predominantly hemorrhagic lesions due to neovascular AMD.
authors.affiliation: Jules Gonin University Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Konstantinidis
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mantel
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zografos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ambresin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D002832:Choroid Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069579:Ranibizumab