title: Intravitreal bevacizumab for juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to multifocal choroiditis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab injections in the treatment of juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with multifocal choroiditis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective interventional case series. Fourteen patients (14 eyes) affected by juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to multifocal choroiditis were examined. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including measurement of best-corrected visual acuity using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study charts, optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiography. The protocol treatment included a first injection, followed by repeated intravitreal bevacizumab injections over a 12-month follow-up period on the basis of optical coherence tomography parameters and angiographic features.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean best-corrected visual acuity changed from 0.41 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (approximately corresponding to 20/51 Snellen equivalent), at baseline, to 0.16 ± 0.13 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (approximately corresponding to 20/28 Snellen equivalent), at the 12-month examination (P < 0.002). A functional improvement of at least 3 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study lines was achieved by 6 eyes (43%) at the 12-month examination. Mean central macular thickness at baseline was 318 μm, reducing to 239 μm at the 12-month examination (P < 0.001). No eye showed choroidal neovascularization extension to the fovea.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravitreal bevacizumab is a beneficial treatment for juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with multifocal choroiditis. Further studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Vita-Salute, Scientific Institute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Parodi
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iacono
authors.forename: Ahamad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mansour
authors.forename: Umberto de
authors.initials: Ud
authors.lastname: Benedetto
authors.forename: Karl A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Knutsson
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bandello
authors.forename: Focke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ziemssen
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ness
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dodwell
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; D002833:Choroiditis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab