title: Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy exudation and hemorrhage: results of monthly ranibizumab therapy at one year.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and active exudation or hemorrhage.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, single practice, open label trial of monthly intravitreal ranibizumab (0.5 mg) injections for PCV in 13 eyes of 13 patients who completed the 1-year study. The primary outcome measure was stabilization of vision (loss of <15 ETDRS letters). Secondary outcome measures included incidence of ocular and systemic adverse events, changes in subretinal hemorrhage, central foveal thickness, and polypoidal complexes on indocyanine green angiography at 1 year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No patient lost ≥ 15 letters in visual acuity at 1 year. Three patients (23%) gained ≥ 15 letters at 12 months. Subretinal hemorrhage resolved in 9/9 eyes (100%). Macular edema improved in 5/5 eyes (100%). Subretinal fluid completely resolved in 4/9 eyes (44%), decreased in 2/9 eyes (22%), and increased in 3/9 eyes (33%). Polypoidal complexes decreased in 5/13 eyes (38%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continuous monthly intravitreal ranibizumab decreases leakage and hemorrhage in eyes with exudative and hemorrhagic complications of PCV. Branching vascular networks persisted, and polypoidal complexes decreased in only 5/13 (38%) eyes with continuous antiangiogenic therapy at 1 year.
authors.affiliation: Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, and Retina Consultants of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii.
authors.forename: Gregg T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Kokame
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Kyla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Teramoto
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply*; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069579:Ranibizumab