Intravitreal bevacizumab for the management of choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab for managing choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Prospective interventional case series. METHODS: Seventeen eyes of 17 patients with subfoveal CNV due to AMD participated in this study at the American University of Beirut Ophthalmology Clinics. All patients had failed, refused, or were not eligible for photodynamic therapy. All eyes received a baseline eye examination, which included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), dilated fundus examination, ocular coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, and fluorescein angiography. An intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (2.5 mg/0.1 ml) was given at baseline and followed by two additional injections at four-week intervals. BCVA, OCT, and fluorescein angiography were repeated four weeks after each injection. Main outcome measures were improvement in BCVA and central retinal thickness (CRT). RESULTS: Mean baseline BCVA was 20/252 (median 20/200), and baseline CRT was 362 microm (median 350 microm). Improvement in VA and CRT occurred by the fourth week. At 12 weeks, mean BCVA was 20/76 (P < .001) and median BCVA was 20/50 (P < .001). Both mean and median CRT decreased to 211 microm (P < .001). Thirteen (76%) of 17 eyes had total resolution of subretinal fluid, and four eyes (24%) had BCVA better than 20/50. No systemic or ocular side effects were noted at any time. CONCLUSION: Eyes with CNV due to AMD treated with intravitreal bevacizumab had marked anatomic and visual improvement. Further studies are necessary to confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of this treatment.