title: Intravitreal pegaptanib sodium (Macugen) for treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization: a morphologic and functional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To report the morphologic and functional outcomes resulting from the use of intravitreal pegaptanib (IVP) sodium (Macugen) in patients with myopic choroidal neovascularization.
  
  
  METHODS
  An open-label, nonrandomized, prospective clinical trial was performed. Morphologic outcome, such as foveal thickness, was assessed by optical coherence tomography, whereas functional outcomes were assessed by best-corrected visual acuity and microperimetry. Treatment protocol consisted of 3 consecutive IVP (0.3 mg/0.05 mL; baseline, 6th week, and 12th week). Follow-up checks were scheduled at the following intervals: baseline, 18, 24, 36, and 48 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty eyes from 20 patients were studied. All patients completed follow-up at 48 weeks. After IVP, a significant decrease in foveal thickness occurred (-20%), and at the end of follow-up, choroidal neovascularization closure was obtained in all eyes. An improvement of functional parameters was recorded in all patients (best-corrected visual acuity from 25.5 ± 8.09 letters to 45.5 ± 8.16 letters, P < 0.0001; microperimetry from 8.40 ± 2.14 dB to 10.8 ± 2.05 dB, P < 0.01). The mean number of IVP was 3, and none of patients met the re-treatment criterion during the entire follow-up period. Neither ocular nor systemic side effects were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings demonstrate that the selective inhibition of VEGF-165 isoform by IVP is an effective treatment for myopic choroidal neovascularization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiosi
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: DellʼOmo
authors.forename: Mario R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Parmeggiani
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Semeraro
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Menzione
authors.forename: Ciro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Costagliola
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005584:Fovea Centralis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D047728:Myopia, Degenerative / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C495058:pegaptanib