Efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept in Japanese patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration

Purpose

To clarify the efficacy of aflibercept for treating exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

We prospectively studied 47 eyes with AMD. Forty-seven patients (mean age 72.2 years) received three consecutive monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections followed by an injection every 2 months until 12 months. The primary outcome was the 12-month visual results compared with baseline; the secondary outcomes were the prevalence of geography atrophy (GA), a dry macula at month 12, and anatomic changes on optical coherence tomography.

Results

The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in 27 eyes with typical AMD and 20 eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) significantly (p < 0.0001, p < 0.05, respectively) improved from 0.60 to 0.32 at baseline to 0.29 and 0.21 at month 12. At month 12, 22 (81.5 %) eyes with typical AMD and 17 (85 %) eyes with PCV had dry macula. The subfoveal choroidal thicknesses in typical AMD and PCV decreased significantly (p < 0.0001 for both comparisons) from 241 ± 118 and 294 ± 76 μ at baseline to 198 ± 104 and 244 ± 84 μ at month 12. Progressing or new GA was seen in three eyes with typical AMD and one eye with PCV; the mean change in the BCVA was significantly (p = 0.0026) worse at month 12. No other complications developed.

Conclusion

Intravitreal aflibercept significantly improved VA and anatomic changes in typical AMD and PCV over 12 months. Development of GA might be a risk for declining VA.

     

Long-term effects of ranibizumab treatment delay in neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Background

Intravitreal injections of ranibizumab are the standard of care for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In clinical trials, comparable efficacy has been shown for either monthly injections or as needed injections upon monthly controls. Unlike in trial settings, treatment in clinical routine is often delayed by complex approval procedures of health insurance and limited short-term surgical capacities.

Methods

Eighty-nine patients with neovascular AMD were followed for 12 months. Early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) visual acuity (VA), Radner reading VA and spectral domain optical coherence tomography were performed monthly, with additional fluorescein angiography if needed. After an initial loading phase of three consecutive monthly intravitreal injections with ranibizumab, re-injections were performed when recurrent activity of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was detected.

Results

After an initial increase to a value of +5.0?±?11.87 ETDRS letters from baseline, VA constantly decreased over 12 months to a value of ?0.66?±?16.82 ETDRS letters below baseline. Central retinal thickness (CRT) decreased from a value of 438.1?±?191.4 μm at baseline to a value of 289.9?±?138.6 μm after initial therapy and stabilized at a value of 322.4?±?199.5 μm. Loss of VA during latency between indication to treat and treatment was significantly greater than re-gain of VA after re-initiation of therapy (?2.2?±?5.0 versus 0.4?±?7.4 letters; p?=?0.046).

Conclusions

Latency between indication to treat and treatment is responsible for irreversible VA deterioration. A successful PRN treatment regimen for neovascular AMD requires immediate access to therapy after indication.     

VEGF gene polymorphism and response to intravitreal bevacizumab and triple therapy in age-related macular degeneration

Purpose

To investigate the association between the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene and response to either intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) or photodynamic therapy with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide and IVB (triple therapy) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

The study consisted of 94 patients with neovascular AMD who underwent IVB and 79 patients with neovascular AMD who underwent triple therapy. Genotypes were determined for four selected tagging single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)s of the VEGF gene.

Results

Of the four SNPs studied, one SNP (rs699946) was associated significantly with visual acuity (VA) changes 12 months after treatment??irrespective of whether they received IVB alone (P = 0.044) or triple therapy 0.010). Baseline VA was not significantly different among the three genotypes of rs699946 in either treatment group. There were no significant differences in the number of treatments, incidence of recurrence, or the period until the recurrence according to VEGF rs699946 genetic variant.

Conclusions

The VEGF gene SNP rs699946 was associated with response to IVB alone and to triple therapy in this study. The G allele in SNP rs699946 can thus be applied as a marker for better visual prognosis in patients with neovascular AMD who receive either IVB or triple therapy.     

Clinical,anatomical, and electrophysiological assessments of the central retina following intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term visual, anatomical and electrophysiological outcomes of repeated intravitreal injections of bevacizumab for macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and investigate any possible toxic effects on the central fovea. This is a prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. Thirty-three eyes of 33 patients with macular edema secondary to RVO were treated with 1.25 mg/0.05 ml intravitreal bevacizumab. Nine patients had nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and 24 patients had branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity, central retinal thickness (CRT), and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) responses changes at baseline, 1 month after the third injection and at the end of the 2-year long follow-up period. Patients with CRVO had mean best-corrected Snellen visual acuity of 0.10 at baseline, which improved significantly to 0.31 after 2 years (P = 0. 028).The mean CRT at presentation was 756.28 μm and reduced significantly to 439.14 μm after 2 years (P = 0.05). Patients with BRVO had mean best-corrected Snellen visual acuity of 0.19 at baseline, which improved significantly to 0.40 after 2 years (P < 0.001). The mean CRT at presentation was 681.04 μm and reduced significantly to 369.81 μm after 2 years (P < 0.001). Mean mfERG responses within central 10° (ring1, ring2) showed statistically significant differences on P1 parameters in terms of response density and implicit time after 2 years in both CRVO and BRVO patients. Repeated intravitreal bevacizumab injections for macular edema due to either CRVO or BRVO resulted in long-term improvement of visual acuity, a reduction in CRT and statistically significant changes in the mfERG responses with nondemonstrable toxic effects on the central fovea.     

Comparison of subfoveal choroidal structures in typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Purpose

To evaluate and compare the intrachoroidal structures of eyes with typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with those of eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Study design

Retrospective and comparative case series.

Methods

Eighty-four treatment-naïve eyes of 84 patients (22 women and 62 men) with typical neovascular AMD or PCV located in the subfoveal region were studied. Cross-sectional images of the retina and choroid were obtained by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). The horizontal SS-OCT images were analyzed by a manual delineation technique and by a binarization method.

Results

Thirty-nine eyes with typical neovascular AMD and 45 eyes with PCV were studied. Although the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) did not differ significantly between the 2 subtypes (255.1?±?86.7 µm in typical neovascular AMD and 289.2?±?116.5 µm in PCV, P?=?0.29), the ratio of the large choroidal vessel layer (LCVL) thickness to the SCT was significantly larger in the eyes with PCV than in the eyes with typical neovascular AMD (0.863?±?0.084 vs 0.803?±?0.125, P?=?0.023). The binarization method did not find significant differences in the choroidal structure between the 2 subtypes. Multivariate logistic regression analyses found the ratio of the LCVL thickness to the SCT to be the only significantly different factor between typical neovascular AMD and PCV (P?=?0.035).

Conclusion

The intrachoroidal structures of typical neovascular AMD and PCV eyes differ significantly. In eyes with PCV, there seemed to be a greater dilation of the large choroidal vessels.

     

A comparison of responses to intravitreal bevacizumab,ranibizumab, or aflibercept injections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Purpose

To compare the responses of intravitreal injections of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, or aflibercept for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods

This retrospective study examined 232 eyes of 232 patients who received intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections due to treatment-naïve nAMD. All patients, who were followed-up for at least 1 year, were treated with intravitreal injections monthly until 3 months, and then as needed. We evaluated the effects of intravitreal injections for treatment of nAMD using the central macular thickness (CMT), subretinal fluid (SRF), pigment epithelial detachment (PED) size, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Results

CMT, SRF, PED size, and BCVA (LogMAR) were significantly decreased after treatment with all three anti-VEGF agents. Overall, the bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept treatments showed no significant differences in their responses. However, the aflibercept injections decreased PED size more quickly than bevacizumab injections (P = 0.034).

Conclusions

Bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept injections are effective treatments for nAMD and have similar responses, although the number of injections of aflibercept was fewer than other anti-VEGF agents. In addition, aflibercept injections may be a better choice than other anti-VEGF agents for cases of severe increases in PED height.

     

Photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal bevacizumab and sub-tenon triamcinolone acetonide injections for age-related macular degeneration

Purpose

To report the results of triple therapy with photodynamic therapy (PDT) (PDT combined with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (IVB) and sub-tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide (STTA)) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Japanese patients.

Methods

This retrospective case series included 38 eyes of 38 patients with exudative AMD treated with PDT combined with IVB (1.25 mg) and STTA (40 mg). Retreatment was performed in the same manner with intervals of at least 3 months. All patients had been treatment naïve, with a follow-up period of 12 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), macular retinal thickness (MRT) on optical coherence tomography, and the number of treatments were analyzed.

Results

The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BCVA in patients treated with PDT triple therapy was 0.86 ± 0.55 at baseline and 0.62 ± 0.55 at 12 months (p < 0.001). The mean MRT was 554.0 ± 202.6 μm at baseline and 205.1 ± 78.6 μm at 12 months (p < 0.001). During the 1-year follow-up, the average number of PDT triple therapy (treatments per patient) was 1.1. No complications, for example increase in intraocular pressure, cataract, or endophthalmitis, were observed.

Conclusions

In AMD patients, PDT triple therapy significantly improved visual acuity with a minimum number of treatments and a low risk of complications during the 1-year follow-up.

     

Two-year results of combined intravitreal anti-VEGF agents and photodynamic therapy for retinal angiomatous proliferation

Purpose

To clarify the efficacy of a combination of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections and photodynamic therapy (PDT), over 24 months, for patients with symptomatic retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 13 treatment-naïve eyes of 12 patients (7 men, 5 women; age range (mean), 63–92 (77) years) treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) plus PDT as initial treatment. Retreatment was performed with IVB plus PDT until February 2009 or intravitreal ranibizumab and PDT from March 2009.

Results

Mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) significantly improved from 0.26 at baseline to 0.40 at 24 months (P = 0.013). The mean improvement in BCVA at 24 months from baseline was 1.79 lines. The central retinal thickness decreased significantly from 431 to 142 microns at 24 months (P < 0.0001). Complete occlusion of the retinal–retinal anastomosis was achieved in seven of the 10 eyes at 24 months. The mean number of PDT treatments during 24 months was 2.8 and the mean number of injections was 3.4. Geographic atrophy was seen in four eyes without significant decline of VA at 24 months.

Conclusion

Combined anti-VEGF and PDT for RAP patients effectively maintained or improved VA and reduced exudation, without severe adverse events, over 24 months.     

Combination therapy in exudative age-related macular degeneration: visual outcomes following combined treatment with photodynamic therapy and intravitreal bevacizumab

Objective: To measure visual outcomes following combined treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intra-vitreal bevacizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Design: Single-centre, retrospective cohort analysis.Participants: One hundred and seventy-four eyes in 174 patients, representing a consecutive series of all patients with at least 6 months’ follow-up after combined treatment with PDT and bevacizumab for exudative AMD.Methods: Each patient was treated with PDT, followed by intravitreal injection of bevacizumab approximately 30 minutes later. The patients were then followed at 8-12-week intervals. The primary outcome of the study was the mean change in visual acuity (VA) from baseline.Results: One hundred seventy-four eyes in 174 patients completed at least 6 months’ follow-up, with a mean duration of 10 months. The mean number of treatments was 3.0 for bevacizumab and 1.4 for PDT. After stabilization, the mean treatment-free interval was 193 days, and 52% of the patients did not require postinduction retreatment. Mean VA improved from baseline at 2,4, and 6 months of follow-up (p < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, treatment-naïve patients had more favorable visual outcomes (p < 0.05).Conclusions: The combination of PDT and intravitreal bevacizumab is an effective therapy for preserving VA in patients with exudative AMD.     

Efficacy of treat-and-extend regimen with aflibercept for pachychoroid neovasculopathy and Type 1 neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept therapy using a treat-and-extend regimen on treatment-naïve pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) and Type 1 neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

We retrospectively studied 42 eyes with PNV and 60 eyes with Type 1 neovascular AMD. We assessed best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), central choroidal thickness (CCT), and total number of injections over 2 years.

Results

The BCVA and CMT improvements during the 2-year treatment period did not differ significantly between PNV and AMD; however, CCT decreased significantly in PNV than in AMD (P<0.05). Management of PNV required significantly fewer injections than AMD during the 2-year period (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in BCVA, CMT and CCT changes between PNV with and without polypoidal lesions (28 vs. 14 eyes) during the 2 year period. Significantly fewer injections were needed for PNV with polypoidal lesions than for PNV without (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in BCVA, CMT and CCT changes, or in the number of injections during the 2-year treatment period, between AMD with and without polypoidal lesions (30 vs. 30 eyes).

Conclusion

Treat-and-extend regimen of intravitreal aflibercept injection may be equally effective in terms of improvement of BCVA and exudative changes both in eyes with PNV and those with Type 1 neovascular AMD requiring fewer injections for the former. Among eyes with PNV, those with polypoidal lesions needed fewer injections than those without polypoidal lesions.

     

Effect of aflibercept in insufficient responders to prior anti-VEGF therapy in neovascular AMD

Purpose

Evaluation of three aflibercept injections at 4-week intervals in patients with neovascular AMD showing an “insufficient anatomic response” to prior anti-VEGF therapy with ranibizumab or bevacizumab.

Methods

The retrospective analysis included 96 eyes that had received at least three intravitreal 0.5 mg ranibizumab or 1.25 mg bevacizumab injections over a period of no more than 4 months prior to switching to aflibercept. In addition, the selected eyes had to have evidence of persisting or increasing sub- or intraretinal fluid, observed in optical coherence tomography (OCT). All patients received a loading dose of three intravitreal 2 mg aflibercept injections at 4-week intervals. Evaluation included central retinal thickness (CRT) and maximum pigment epithelium (PED) height measured by spectral domain OCT and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) prior to the switch of therapy and 4 weeks after the third aflibercept injection.

Results

A significant reduction of mean CRT (?39 μm; p?p?p?=?0.061). The further analysis did not show any correlation of the change in CRT, maximum PED, and BCVA with the number of prior anti-VEGF treatments.

Conclusion

Retinal edema and PEDs regressed significantly after switching to aflibercept in patients insufficiently responding to prior therapy with ranibizumab or bevacizumab. No correlation could be found with regard to the number of prior treatments.     

Sustained elevation of intraocular pressure after intravitreal injections of bevacizumab in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Background

The use of intravitreal anti-VEGF agents in general, and of bevacizumab (Avastin) in particular, has become the common first-line treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Several reports addressed the possible elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) following intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sustained IOP elevation following intravitreal bevacizumab injections for neovascular AMD and identify possible risk factors for the development of increased IOP.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 174 consecutive patients (201 eyes) receiving intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25?mg/0.05?ml) as treatment for neovascular AMD. The records of the study patients were reviewed for age, gender, history of glaucoma, phakic status, IOP levels, length of follow-up, total number of injections, intervals between injections, and IOP management in eyes that exhibited IOP elevation. Sustained IOP elevation was defined as IOP ≥22?mmHg and a change from baseline of ≥6?mmHg recorded on at least two consecutive visits and lasting ≥30?days. Risk factors for an IOP increase were identified from the association between the studied variables and IOP elevations.

Results

Sustained IOP elevation was found in 22 of 201 eyes (11%). The increased IOP was controlled with topical medications in all eyes. Among the variables studied, only male gender [OR?=?3.1, 95% CI (1.1, 8.5) p?=?0.029] and length of interval between injections <8?weeks [OR?=?3.0, 95%CI (1.1, 7.9), p?=?0.028] emerged as risk factors for IOP elevation in a multivariable model. The prevalence of IOP elevation was significantly higher when the interval between injections was <8?weeks than ≥8?weeks (17.6 and 6%, respectively, p?=?0.009). Pre-existing glaucoma was not associated with IOP elevation (p?=?0.9).

Conclusions

Sustained IOP elevations can occur in normotensive eyes undergoing intravitreal bevacizumab treatment for neovascular AMD. This phenomenon was related to shorter intervals between injections, with 8?weeks being taken as the cut-off point. AMD eyes that receive intravitreal bevacizumab injections need to be monitored for IOP changes, especially those in which the intervals between injections are <8?weeks.     

Prognostic factors after aflibercept therapy for typical age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Purpose

To determine factors predictive of visual outcomes in eyes treated with intravitreal aflibercept injections (IAIs) for typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Study design

Retrospective, multicenter, institutional, consecutive, interventional case series.

Methods

One hundred nine eyes (107 patients) with treatment-naïve neovascular AMD at 3 university hospitals were studied. After a loading phase of 3 monthly 2.0-mg IAIs, injections were administered every 2 months. The baseline clinical characteristics were investigated in relation to the 12-month visual outcomes. Changes in the mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were measured at 12 months after initiation of aflibercept therapy.

Results

Forty-five eyes (41.3%) had typical neovascular AMD, and 64 eyes (58.7%) had PCV. The changes in the mean BCVA at 12 months compared with baseline did not differ significantly (P = .737) between the 2 groups. Stepwise analysis showed that larger gains in the BCVA at 12 months were associated with poor BCVA (P < .001), no pigment epithelial detachment (P = .004), and subretinal fluid (P = .039) at baseline in eyes with typical neovascular AMD; larger gains in the BCVA were associated with poorer BCVA (P < .001), presence of choroidal vascular hyperpermeability (CVH) (P = .013), and subretinal fluid (P = .044) at baseline in eyes with PCV.

Conclusions

Although poorer BCVA and the presence of subretinal fluid predicted larger gains in BCVA in both subtypes treated with aflibercept, eyes with typical neovascular AMD had greater improvement if no pigment epithelial detachment was present, while eyes with PCV had greater improvement if CVH was present.

     

Effect of cataract surgery in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration: further evidence from disciform scars

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of cataract surgery on disease activation and visual outcomes in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

In this retrospective case–control study, study arm consisted of neovascular AMD patients, who underwent phacoemulsification surgery. Patients did not have any disease activation at least 6 months before the inclusion, and all had at least 12-month follow-up thereafter. Control group consisted of phakic patients, who did not undergo eye surgery during the study period. Primary outcomes were the presence of the disease activation and the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Results

A total of 114 neovascular AMD patients [55 (48%) in exudative group and 59 (52%) in disciform group] were included. Preoperative logMAR BCVA was significantly improved after cataract surgery [0.8 (0.6–1.0) vs. 0.4 (0.4–0.7), P < 0.001 in exudative AMD; 1.85 (1.1–1.9) vs. 1.09 (0.8–1.9), P = 0.001 in disciform scar], but this improvement was not maintained during the study period in patients with both exudative AMD and disciform scar [0.6 (0.3–1.1), P = 0.313 in exudative AMD; 1.30 (1–1.9), P = 0.03 in disciform scar]. The incidence of disease activation was not statistically significant between surgery and control groups in patients with exudative AMD [5 (25%) patients in surgery group and 8 (22%) patients in the control group, P = 0.886, Cox proportional hazards regression analysis]. In disciform scar, disease activation was observed in 4 (17%) patients in the surgery group; however, no patient in the control group had disease activation (P = 0.009, HRs could not be estimated, 95% CI 0.001–43.49, Cox proportional hazards regression analysis).

Conclusion

Cataract surgery has benefit on early postoperative visual improvement in patients with neovascular AMD. The incidence of disease activation was not affected after surgery in exudative AMD.

     

Anti-VEGF-refractory Exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration: Differential Response According to Features on Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose

To describe optical coherence tomography (OCT) characteristics of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients refractory to intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections (ranibizumab, bevacizumab) and their responses to alternative anti-VEGF agents or photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Methods

A retrospective review of 267 neovascular AMD patients treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections.

Results

Twenty patients (7.5%) were refractory to anti-VEGF injections (stationary or increased retinal exudation despite three or more monthly injections). They were grouped into either the extensive intraretinal fluid group (IRF group, 9 patients) or the subretinal fluid only group (SRF group, 11 patients) according to OCT findings. In the IRF group, response rates to subsequent treatment were 0% (0 / 7) for bevacizumab, 50% (3 / 6) for ranibizumab and 50% (3 / 6) for PDT ± anti-VEGF. Three out of four bevacizumab-refractory patients showed response to ranibizumab as a secondary treatment. In the SRF group, response rates were lower with 0% (0 / 7) for bevacizumab, 22.2% (2 / 9) for ranibizumab and 28.6% (2 / 7) for PDT ± anti-VEGF. One out of four bevacizumab-refractory patients responded to ranibizumab. The visual outcome was worse in the IRF group (median 20 / 1,000) than in the SRF group (median 20 / 100).

Conclusions

In anti-VEGF-refractory neovascular AMD, patients with extensive IRF refractory to bevacizumab can be responsive to ranibizumab while patients with SRF may be refractory to both, suggesting a different pathophysiology and intraocular pharmacokinetics.     

Transitions of multifocal electroretinography in patients with age-related macular degeneration after combination therapy with photodynamic therapy and intravitreal bevacizumab

To evaluate by multifocal electroretinograms (mfERG) the macular function before and after combined treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal bevacizumab in eyes suffering from choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 15 eyes of 15 patients with subfoveal CNV were studied before and after the combined treatment. The post-treatment follow-up was 6 months. MfERG recordings were performed in each patient before and 1, 3, and 6 months after the treatment. The mean N1 response amplitudes tended to increase after the treatment, and ring 2 response amplitude was significantly increased at 3 and 6 months compared to baseline (P = 0.033, 0.005, respectively). For mean P1 response amplitudes, there was a significant increase in retinal response amplitudes in ring 1–3 at 6 months (P = 0.036, 0.013, 0.008, respectively). No statistically significant difference in both mean N1 and P1 latency was observed for any ring over the course of treatment. PDT combined with intravitreal bevacizumab can increase the response amplitudes of mfERG in neovascular AMD patients.     

Long-term follow-up of OCT-guided bevacizumab treatment of macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion

Background

To evaluate the long-term outcome of an OCT-guided reinjection scheme for bevacizumab treatment of macular edema (ME) due to retinal vein occlusion.

Methods

Patients with persistent ME (>250 μm) due to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) received intravitreal bevacizumab 2.5 mg/0.1 ml. Visual acuity (ETDRS), ophthalmic examination and OCT were performed at baseline and at 6- to 8-week intervals. Reinjections were only performed if OCT showed persistent or recurrent ME.

Results

Sixty-one patients with a minimum follow-up of 25 weeks were included in this analysis. Mean follow-up was 60?±?29 wks. In CRVO patients, central retinal thickness (CRT) decreased from 748?±?265 µm to 372?±?224 µm (p?<?0.001) and visual acuity (VA) improved by 1.9?±?3.2 lines. In BRVO patients, mean CRT decreased from 601?±?206 µm to 386?±?178 µm (p?<?0.001) and VA improved by 1.8?±?2.6 lines. Thirty-three percent of CRVO and 15% of BRVO patients did not show a ME recurrence for ≥25 wks at last visit. Thirty-seven percent of CRVO and 50% of BRVO patients suffered recurrences of ME within the last 25 wks, whereas 30% of CRVO and 35% of BRVO patients did not achieve a complete resolution of ME at any follow-up visit after receiving a minimum of three injections. CRVO patients with dry interval of ≥25 weeks at last visit were significantly younger, had a thinner CRT at baseline and more often had a complete resolution of ME after the first injection. In CRVO and BRVO, final VA was correlated significantly with initial VA, patients’ age and final CRT. Change of VA was correlated with change of CRT in BRVO.

Conclusions

Patients with retinal vein occlusion benefit from treatment with bevacizumab. Favourable long-term results without necessity of further injections were achieved in 33% and 15% of CRVO and BRVO patients respectively. The remaining patients needed repeated injections to treat ME recurrences. However, one third of the CRVO/BRVO patients did not improve in VA, and further injections might be discontinued in these patients.     

Two-year outcome of photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab and triamcinolone acetonide for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Purpose

To compare the 2-year results after photodynamic therapy (PDT) alone and PDT combined with intravitreal injections of bevacizumab and triamcinolone acetonide (triple therapy) for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 40 consecutive patients (40 eyes) with subfoveal PCV. Of these 40 eyes, 16 were treated with PDT alone and 24 were treated with triple therapy.

Results

The change in visual acuity in the triple therapy group was significantly better than that in the PDT group (P?<?0.001). At 24 months, improvement in visual acuity was seen in only two eyes (12.5 %) of the PDT group, while it was seen in ten eyes (41.7 %) of the triple therapy group. Retreatment was given to 12 eyes (75.0 %) in the PDT group and to nine eyes (37.5 %) in the triple therapy group, although the retreatment-free period was significantly longer in the triple therapy group than in the PDT group (P?<?0.001). Post-treatment vitreous hemorrhage was seen in only two eyes (12.5 %), all of which were in the PDT group.

Conclusion

Compared with PDT alone, triple therapy appears to reduce the postoperative hemorrhagic complications and recurrences of PCV and to improve the 2-year visual outcomes of PCV.     

Effekt von Bevacizumab auf die Abhebung des retinalen Pigmentepithels bei okkulter choroidaler Neovaskularisation

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the effect of bevacizumab on pigment epithelial detachment (PED) in occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to determine predictive factors.

Methods

73 eyes of patients with AMD and PED due to CNV with subretinal and/or intraretinal fluid were assessed. Patients were treated with 1.25 mg of intravitreal bevacizumab.

Results

After 30.6 weeks, the mean visual acuity (VA) increased from 0.53 to 0.49 logMAR (p=0.170). The mean PED height decreased from 354.4 μm to 277.4 μm (p=0.004). Although 53.4% of the eyes showed a reduction in PED, this did not correlate with a significant change in VA. Predictive factors were a high baseline PED and VA <0.32.

Conclusion

Half of the patients showed PED flattening. Especially in patients with distinctive PED, a response to intravitreal bevacizumab may be expected. This therapy can stabilize VA, but PED flattening does not essentially correlate with an increase in VA.