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Introduction
Since the US Food and Drug Administration approval of ranibizumab in 2006, antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has become standard therapy. At the same time, based on case studies, researchers have become very interested in the related molecule, bevacizumab, for both AMD and other retinal diseases marked by CNV. This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy of bevacizumab in subfoveal neovascularization in non-AMD cases.
Bevacizumab Treatment for Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization From Causes Other Than Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Chang LK, Spaide RF, Brue C, Freund KB, Klancnik JM, Slakter JS
Arch Ophthalmol. 2008;126:941-945
Summary
The analysis included 39 eyes of 36 subjects. Causes of included multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis (N = 12), angioid streaks (N = 11), pathologic myopia (N = 10), and idiopathic or other causes (N = 6). Previous treatments included photodynamic therapy/verteporfin (21 eyes), intravenous ranibizumab (1 eye), and corticosteroids (17 eyes).
Mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 20/89 to 20/40 at a mean of 58.8 weeks of follow-up. Central foveal thickness also improved from 249 micrometers to 203 micrometers. The mean number of injections of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) was 3.4.
Comment
Regardless of underlying pathology, all patients had good resolution of foveal thickening and improvement of vision after injections of bevacizumab. However, because this study was not controlled, long-term efficacy and dosing for specific etiologies cannot be extrapolated.
Abstract
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