title: Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for choroidal neovascularization secondary to ocular histoplasmosis syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy is beneficial in treating choroidal neovascularization from age-related macular degeneration, but few long-term studies have shown its efficacy in choroidal neovascularization from ocular histoplasmosis syndrome. Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy may be effective in cases of choroidal neovascularization because of ocular histoplasmosis syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review of 54 eyes treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for choroidal neovascularization in ocular histoplasmosis syndrome with >1 year of follow-up after initiation of anti-VEGF treatment was performed. Previous treatment and demographic information were recorded. Visual acuity was recorded for each injection treatment and at the last follow-up visit. The anti-VEGF agent was recorded for each injection treatment. Visual acuity was recorded at the last follow-up visit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean visual acuity improved from 20/53 to 20/26 over an average of 26.8 months. Either bevacizumab or ranibizumab were administered on an average of 4.5 injections per patient per year of follow-up. Vision loss was seen in only three eyes with loss limited to a single line of vision. Patients experienced no serious complications from treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy with bevacizumab or ranibizumab is beneficial in treatment of choroidal neovascularization in ocular histoplasmosis syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Wolfe Eye Clinic, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266, USA. jnielsen@wolfeclinic.com
authors.forename: Jared S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Tyler A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Fick
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Saggau
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006660:Histoplasmosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab