Ranibizumab versus bevacizumab for the treatment of idiopathic choroidal neovascularization: 2-Year results.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab vs ranibizumab for the treatment of idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (ICNV).


METHODS
This retrospective study included 60 eyes of 60 patients with ICNV who underwent intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL, n = 30 eyes) or ranibizumab (0.5 mg/0.05 mL, n = 30 eyes). Multiple treatments were based on complete ophthalmologic investigation including slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fundus examination, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The BCVA, central retinal thickness (CRT), intraocular pressure (IOP), FFA results, and complications were compared between the 2 groups during the 2-year follow-up.


RESULTS
Visual acuity was significantly better at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment (p&lt;0.01), with no significant difference in visual acuity between the bevacizumab and ranibizumab groups. In both groups of patients, the CRT after treatment was significantly less than before. At 12 and 24 months, the CRT in the ranibizumab group was significantly less than in the bevacizumab group (p&lt;0.05). The FFA examination showed that CNV was reduced after intravitreal injection of either drug, with no significant difference in IOP between the 2 groups. No ophthalmologic or systemic complications occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Bevacizumab and ranibizumab are effective and safe in the treatment of ICNV, with similar effects in improving visual acuity and reducing retinal edema. The long-term efficacy of ranibizumab is superior to bevacizumab in reducing CRT.
Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, He'nan - China.
Pengyi
P
Zhou
Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, He'nan - China.
Lin
L
Yang
Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, He'nan - China.
Xuemin
X
Jin
D000328:Adult; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D000069579:Ranibizumab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab