Journal List > J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > v.52(1) > 1008997

Seo and Chang: Long-term Therapeutic Effect of Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) on Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the long-term therapeutic effects of intravitreal bevacizumab on myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Methods

Medical records of 6 patients who underwent intravitreal bevacizumab injection for myopic CNV and were followed for more than 2 years, were retrospectively investigated. The best corrected visual acuity was compared at 1,3,12, and 24 months after injection. Two years after the injection, a fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed to evaluate the central macular thickness and leakage of CNV.

Results

The mean best corrected visual acuity was 1.16 ± 0.43 (logMAR), 0.45 ± 0.21 (logMAR), 0.29 ± 0.23 (logMAR), 0.14 ± 0.11 (logMAR), and 0.11 ± 0.06 (logMAR) at baseline, 1, 3, 12, and 24 months after injection, respectively. The average number of injections was 1.33. In OCT, 2 years after bevacizumab injection, central foveal thickness was significantly decreased as compared to the baseline, and fluorescein angiography showed no leakage of fluorescein.

Conclusions

Intravitreal bevacizumab injection for the treatment of myopic CNV was effective in maintaining post-operative visual acuity for 2 years.

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Figure 1.
Mean best corrected visual acuity at baseline, 1, 3, 12, and 24 months. After intravitreal bevacizumab injection, graph shows to maintenance of good visual acuity until 2 years later (p = 0.042, p = 0.028, p = 0.042, p = 0.028, Wilcoxon signed rank test).
jkos-52-34f1.tif
Figure 2.
Best corrected visual acuity in each of six cases. Most cases maintain improved visual acuity until 2 years later.
jkos-52-34f2.tif
Figure 3.
CMT at preinjection and 2-years later after injection. Graph shows to maintenance of decreased central macular thickness until 2 years later (p = 0.01, Wilcoxon signed rank test).
jkos-52-34f3.tif
Figure 4.
Serial fundus photographs and fluorescein angiographs and optical coherence tomographs of case 6. (A) images before intravitreal bevacizumab injection showed subfoveal hemorrhage and juxtafoveal classic CNV and macular edema. At this time BCVA was 0.02 (logMAR 1.70). At 1 year after intravitreal bevacizumab injection, (B) images showed scar change of CNV membrane and just fluorescein staining without fluorescein leakage. BCVA at 1 year was 1.0 (logMAR 0.00). At 2 years after intravitreal bevacizumab injection, (C) images showed similar findings at (B) images. BCVA at 2 year was 0.9 (logMAR 0.04). Until two years later, very good and stable prognosis has been shown.
jkos-52-34f4.tif
Table 1.
Patient characteristics
Pt. case no. e Sex Age eye Refractive error (diopters) BCVA (log MAR)
location CMT§ (μ m)
No. of injections
Month 0 1 3 12 24 Month 0 24
1 F 46 L −12 0.70 0.30 0.15 0.20 0.15 Subfovea 440 275 1
2 M 44 R −9.25 1.10 0.30 0.04 0.04 0.04 Subfovea 300 269 2
3* M 55 L −13 0.80 0.70 0.70 0.30 0.10 Subfovea 295 279 1
4 M 51 L −8 1.00 0.20 0.15 0.15 0.15 Subfovea 350 240 2
5 F 20 L −11 1.70 0.50 0.30 0.20 0.20 Subfovea 298 181 1
6 F 15 R −9 1.70 0.70 0.40 0.00 0.04 juxtafovea 420 244 1
Mean 38.5 −10.37 1.16 0.45 0.29 0.14 0.11 350.5 248 1.33
SD 16.7 1.93 0.43 0.21 0.23 0.11 0.06 65.1 36.6 0.51
F:3 R;2 Subfovea:5
M:3 L:4 Juxtafovea:1

* Underwent cataract operation at 9 months after injection. At 12 months, visual acuity showed greater improvement.

BCVA = best corrected visual acuity

LogMAR = logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution

§ CMT = central macular thickness.

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