title: Intravitreal aflibercept for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization associated with pathologic myopia: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept injections for the treatment of patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with pathologic myopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this uncontrolled, prospective cohort study, 31 eyes of 30 consecutive patients affected by CNV associated with pathologic myopia were treated with intravitreal aflibercept (2 mg) as needed following two initial monthly doses and observed over a 12-month follow-up period. The primary endpoint was change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at month 12, while central retinal thickness (CRT) on optical coherence tomography (OCT), neovascularization activity on fluorescein angiography, the number of aflibercept injections administered, and safety were examined as secondary endpoints.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients received a mean of 2.6 intravitreal aflibercept injections over the 12-month study period. Compared with baseline, BCVA improved significantly at all time points (P<0.05). Mean (standard deviation [SD]) decimal BCVA was 0.2 (0.1) at baseline and 0.35 (0.16) at month 12. The greatest improvement in BCVA was seen within the first 2 months (P=0.01). Mean (SD) CRT on OCT decreased from 285 (62) µm at baseline to 227 (42) µm (P=0.01) at month 12. There was a continuous decrease in mean CRT on OCT over time. No cases of endophthalmitis, uveitis, stroke, or retinal detachment were noted. No patient demonstrated an intraocular pressure >20 mmHg during any study visit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 12-month results of intravitreal aflibercept for myopic CNV using an as-needed regimen were positive, showing benefits in visual and anatomic outcomes and an acceptable tolerability profile.
authors.affiliation: The Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Odessa, Ukraine.
authors.forename: Andrii R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Korol
authors.affiliation: The Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Odessa, Ukraine.
authors.forename: Oleg S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Zadorozhnyy
authors.affiliation: The Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Odessa, Ukraine.
authors.forename: Volodymyr O
authors.initials: VO
authors.lastname: Naumenko
authors.affiliation: The Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Odessa, Ukraine.
authors.forename: Taras B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Kustryn
authors.affiliation: The Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Odessa, Ukraine.
authors.forename: Nataliya V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Pasyechnikova
keywords: aflibercept; angiogenesis inhibitors; choroidal neovascularization; eye diseases; pathologic myopia