title: Effects of VEGF inhibition on retinal morphology, neovascular network size, and visual acuity in patients with vascularized pigment epithelium detachment because of occult choroidal neovascularization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the results of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition for vascularized pigment epithelium detachment associated with choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective analysis of patients affected by vascularized pigment epithelium detachment treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (0.5 mg of ranibizumab or 1 mg of bevacizumab) and a follow-up of 12 months. Retinal angiomatous proliferations were excluded. Treatment was conducted with an initial loading phase followed by a pro re nata phase. Fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography were performed at baseline and every 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty eyes were included in this study. After a follow-up of 12 months and 5.5 treatments on average, best-corrected visual acuity did not vary significantly. Central retinal thickness and pigment epithelium detachment height were significantly reduced, whereas the choroidal neovascularization area remained constant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In vascularized pigment epithelium detachment, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy shows visual stabilization but not best-corrected visual acuity gain. However, it is associated with significant morphologic improvements, and it may offer a benefit over the natural course of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Veritti
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Macor
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Menchini
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lanzetta
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab