Efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab after unresponsive treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab

Objective: To evaluate visual outcomes of eyes with choroidal neovascular membrane secondary to age-related macular degeneration that were initially treated with intravitreal ranibizumab then switched to intravitreal bevacizumab due to treatment failure.Design: Retrospective chart review.Participants: Fifty eyes of 50 patients presenting to the Barnes Retina Institute.Methods: Patients unresponsive to treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab were switched to intravitreal bevacizumab. Main outcome measures included number of intravitreal injections, visual acuity (VA), and resolution of leakage. Mean follow-up was 6 months after the final intravitreal bevacizumab injection. On average, each patient received 3.5 ranibizumab injections and 2.5 bevacizumab injections. Each patient received an average of 6 injections.Results: Resolution of leakage on fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography was achieved in 44 eyes (88%). Initial VA ranged from 20/30 to counting fingers (CF) (median VA 20/125). Final VA ranged from 20/20 to CF (median VA 20/100). Change in VA varied from loss of 2 lines to gain of 4 lines, but overall, remained stable (average gain 0.3 lines). Eighteen eyes (36%) had afinal VA of ≥ 20/50 and 18 eyes (36%) had a final VA of ≤ 20/200.Conclusions: Treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab may be effective, as measured by visual and anatomic criteria, in patients who are unresponsive to treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab.     

Visual and morphological outcomes of bevacizumab (Avastin<Superscript>®</Superscript>) versus ranibizumab (Lucentis<Superscript>®</Superscript>) treatment for retinal angiomatous proliferation

Retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) is a variant of exudative age-related macular degeneration with particularly bad prognosis. The purpose of this work is to describe the long-term functional and morphological outcome of patients treated with intravitreal bevacizumab and ranibizumab. Retrospective case series of 16 eyes treated with bevacizumab and 19 eyes treated with ranibizumab. All patients received initially three intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) or ranibizumab (0.5 mg/0.05 ml) every 4 weeks. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 7 months after the third injection. Complete ophthalmologic examination including best-corrected visual acuity (VA), optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, and in selected cases, indocyanine green angiography was performed. Triple intravitreal injections resulted in improvement of VA in bevacizumab-treated as well as in ranibizumab-treated patients; logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) 0.84 before treatment and 0.67 at month 9, and logMAR 0.75 before treatment and 0.59 at month 9, respectively. Central macular thickness (CMT) in the bevacizumab group improved from 363.67 ± 47.4 μm at baseline to 328 ± 49.77 μm at month 6 (p = 0.03) and 301 ± 129.69 at month 9 (p = 0.35). CMT in the ranibizumab group improved from 545.62 ± 167.39 μm at baseline to 395.88 ± 169.37 μm at month 6 and 411.83 ± 212.41 μm at month 9 (p = 0.03, p = 0.05, respectively). Patients with RAP might benefit from both intravitreal bevacizumab and ranibizumab treatments with stabilization of VA over a longer period of time. Close follow-up should nevertheless be performed in this special subgroup because of the high recurrence rate.     

Bevacizumab versus ranibizumab in the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration

The purpose of this article is to describe functional and morphological short-term results in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) of all subtypes, treated with intravitreal bevacizumab versus intravitreal ranibizumab. This was a retrospective case-controlled series of 30 patients treated with intravitreal bevacizumab and 30 patients treated with intravitreal ranibizumab for exudative AMD. All patients received three initial injections every 4 weeks. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) as well as greatest linear dimension (GLD) of the CNV in fluorescein angiography and central retinal thickness (CRT) in optical coherence tomography (OCT) were monitored 2–4 months after last injection. BCVA stabilized and slightly increased from logMAR 0.74 to 0.62 in the bevacizumab group, and from logMAR 0.76 to 0.58 in the ranibizumab group (P < 0.05 for each group). No statistical difference was seen between both groups at any time-point. CRT was significantly reduced in both groups at last follow-up. In contrast, GLD did not change significantly. Patients with exudative AMD of all subtypes benefit from intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. No significant difference between bevacizumab and ranibizumab is seen in the short-term follow-up.     

Combined therapy with bevacizumab and photodynamic therapy for myopic choroidal neovascularization:A one-year follow-up controlled study

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combined treatment for myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) using photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal bevacizumab and to compare it with intravitreal bevacizumab monotherapy.METHODS: Thirty-four eyes with angiographic evidence of myopic CNV were randomly divided into two groups:17 were treated with one intravitreal bevacizumab injection (1.25 mg) and low-fluence-rate PDT within seven days of the injection (Group A). The other 17 received monotherapy with bevacizumab injections (Group B). Clinical evidence of complications, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and fluorescein leakage were evaluated. BCVA and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were evaluated monthly. The timepoints follow-up was established at 6 and 12mo. All patients were retreated following a PRN protocol.RESULTS:A total of 34 eyes of 34 patients (26 women and 8 men) with a mean age of 62.35 years were included. In Group A (17 eyes) the mean BCVA increased from 0.55±0.13 logMAR before the treatment to 0.40±0.09 logMAR at the 12mo follow-up (P<0.01). In Group B (17 eyes) the mean BCVA increased from 0.60±0.11 logMAR before the treatment to 0.55±0.12 logMAR at the 12mo follow-up (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of LogMar visual acuity. In Group A the mean number of combined treatments was 1.8±0.11 per patient; in Group B the mean number of intravitreal bevacizumab injections was 3.1±0.08 per patient. The number of treatments was significantly fewer in Group A (P<0.01). No local or systemic side effects occurred among any of the patients treated in this study.CONCLUSION:The combination of anti-angiogenic injections and PDT appears to be a safe and effective option for myopic CNV treatment and allows for a significant reduction of intravitreal injections.     

比较雷珠单抗和贝伐珠单抗对新生血管AMD的疗效

目的：比较玻璃体内注射雷珠单抗与贝伐珠单抗对年龄相关性黄斑变性（ age-related macular degeneration, AMD）的疗效,治疗方案必要时采用。 方法：回顾性分析63例63眼（雷珠单抗治疗组35眼,贝伐珠单抗治疗组28眼）新确诊新生血管年龄相关性黄斑变性患者的资料。治疗12 mo后随访,分析比较两组患者的最佳矫正视力（ BCVA）和黄斑中心凹厚度（ CFT）。采用双尾t检验和单因素方差分析比较两组最佳矫正视力和黄斑中心凹厚度的变化。 结果：雷珠单抗治疗组35眼和贝伐珠单抗治疗组28眼均完成12 mo随访,并记录数据。雷珠单抗治疗组最佳矫正视力均值增加0.1 logMAR;相反,贝伐珠单抗治疗组最佳矫正视力均值下降0.06logMAR（P=0.01）。雷珠单抗治疗组13眼（37%）和贝伐珠单抗治疗组4眼（14%）最佳矫正视力至少增加0.3logMAR。雷珠单抗治疗组平均黄斑中心凹厚度减少41.6μm,贝伐珠单抗治疗组减少8.1μm（P=0.003）。两组平均注射次数是4.46次和4.11次（P〉0.05）。 结论：玻璃体内注射雷珠单抗组在视力和消水肿方面疗效优于贝伐珠单抗组。但是,两种药的疗效和安全性还需要随机的长期临床试验来验证。     

Intravitreal ranibizumab treatment of retinal angiomatous proliferation

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of intravitreal injections of ranibizumab in the treatment of retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) in neovascular age‐related macular degeneration. Methods: Retrospective, consecutive case series of 26 eyes (26 patients) treated with intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg ranibizumab for RAP. Patients received intravitreal injections at monthly intervals during upload phase for a 3‐month period. Results: Mean visual acuity before treatment was 0.75 ± 0.38logMAR (mean ± SD, n = 26). In the upload phase, mean visual acuity improved 4 weeks after the initial injection to 0.6 ± 0.37logMAR (n = 26) and to 0.53 ± 0.34logMAR (n = 26) 4 weeks after the third monthly intravitreal injection of ranibizumab. The mean optical coherence tomography (OCT) central foveal thickness reduced from 345 ± 55 μm at baseline to 215 ± 87 μm at 3 months. In the maintenance phase, mean visual acuity after 6 months was 0.66 ± 0.38logMAR (n = 12) and 0.7 ± 0.37logMAR after 9 months (n = 6). The mean OCT central foveal thickness was 259 ± 59 μm (n = 13) at 6 months and 280 ± 127 μm (n = 6) at nine‐month follow‐up. Conclusion: Intravitreal ranibizumab resulted in an improvement of visual acuity 4 weeks after the first injection but was more pronounced after 3 months. A reduction in leakage and OCT central foveal thickness was seen 3 months after the commencement of treatment.     

Long-term outcomes of the intravitreal injection of ranibizumab for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia

Purpose

To analyze the long-term outcomes and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab injections in myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Methods

A retrospective non-randomized analysis of consecutive cases included 17 eyes from 17 patients with subfoveal myopic CNV, treated with intravitreal ranibizumab with at least 30-month follow-up. The patients received three injections monthly, followed by pro re nata regimen. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography were carried out at the baseline and at monthly intervals thereafter.

Results

Mean follow-up period was 51 months (range 30–98 months). In 12 patients (70.6%), BCVA improved by at least 1 Snellen line, with at least 3-line improvement observed in the case of 8 eyes (47%). Mean central foveal thickness (CFT) decreased from 384.65?±?103.3 µm at the baseline to 264?±?86.2 µm at the last follow-up examination (p?<?0.001). The final OCT examination revealed 59% (10/17) eyes with CNV-related macular atrophy. Mean number of injections over the follow-up period was 4.82?±?2.04 per person. Nine patients (53%) required re-injection of the anti-VEGF agent; the mean number of re-injections in this group was 3.44?±?1.34 per person (range 2–6). No significant adverse events were recorded during the study period.

Conclusions

Intravitreal ranibizumab is an effective and safe treatment for CNV secondary to pathologic myopia, contributing to long-term vision improvement and CFT reduction.

     

Intravitreal aflibercept treatment in eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration following prior treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab

Background:

To investigate visual and anatomical outcomes in eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration treated with intravitreal aflibercept following prior treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab.

Materials and Methods:

Retrospective, single-center study of 192 eyes treated with 0.5 mg intravitreal ranibizumab every 4 weeks for three consecutive doses followed by a variable dose schedule. After more than 12 months of ranibizumab treatment, eyes that required ranibizumab injections at 4-week or 6-week intervals were switched to aflibercept therapy.

Results:

After 12–69 months (42 months ± 18 months, mean ± standard deviation [SD]) of treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab, 80 eyes were changed to 2 mg intravitreal aflibercept treatment with follow-up after 12–18 months (16 months ± 1 month, mean ± SD). Thirty-nine eyes had persistent macular fluid after treatment with ranibizumab. Mean logMAR visual acuity (VA) in eyes treated with ranibizumab changed by − 0.089 ± 0.310 (mean ± SD; P = 0.0003), which correlates to an approximate gain of 4.5 letters. The number of eyes with macular fluid decreased from 39 to 23 after aflibercept treatment. Mean logMAR VA in eyes with intraretinal macular fluid treated with aflibercept changed by −0.079 ± 0.134 (mean ± SD; P = 0.006), which correlates to an approximate gain of 4 letters. Mean logMAR VA in eyes with submacular fluid was not significantly different after aflibercept treatment.

Conclusion:

Eyes with persistent intraretinal macular fluid had visual and anatomic response after changing from ranibizumab to aflibercept treatment.     

Effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin®) in neovascular age‐related macular degeneration using a treatment regimen based on optical coherence tomography: 6‐ and 12‐month results

Purpose: To study the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab therapy on visual and anatomical outcomes in patients with neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) within a follow‐up period of 6 and 12 months. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 102 eyes of 102 consecutive patients with neovascular AMD evaluated repeated intravitreal bevacizumab (1 or 2.5 mg) injections. Retreatment was performed following an optical coherence tomography (OCT)‐based regimen. Ophthalmic examination included best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), dilated fundus examination and OCT imaging. Data were analysed at baseline, 6 months (24 weeks) and 12 months (48 weeks) after treatment initiation. Results: BCVA remained stable at 6 months (mean: 0.00 ± 0.41 logMAR; p = 0.95) and 12 months (mean: +0.02 ± 0.43 logMAR; loss of ～ 1 letter; p = 0.70) after the first treatment. OCT retinal thickness decreased by a mean of ?37.8 ± 101.6 μm (p < 0.05) compared to baseline at month 6 and ?38.6 ± 93.3 μm (p < 0.05) at month 12. A mean of 2.6 ± 1.2 injections were needed to obtain absence of fluid by OCT, and the time to recurrence was 23 ± 11 weeks thereafter. There was no difference in BCVA and OCT outcomes between treatment‐naive eyes and eyes that had undergone prior treatment. Conclusion: The 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up of repeated intravitreal bevacizumab therapy in eyes with neovascular AMD demonstrated stabilization of vision and no safety concerns. An OCT‐based retreatment strategy appears appropriate in the management of patients treated with intravitreal bevacizumab.     

Retinal pigment epithelium tears after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab for predominantly classic neovascular membranes secondary to age‐related macular degeneration

Acta Ophthalmol. 2010: 88: 736–741

Abstract.

Purpose: Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tear is an extremely rare complication in patients with classic neovascular membranes without RPE detachment. We evaluate their incidence and functional outcome following treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab. Methods: Observational study of 72 consecutive patients (74 eyes) treated at Jules Gonin University Eye Hospital, Lausanne, with intravitreal ranibizumab 0.5 mg for classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) between March 2006 and February 2008. Best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus examination and optical coherence tomography were recorded monthly; fluorescein angiography was performed at baseline and repeated at least every 3 months. Results: RPE tears occurred in four (5.4%) eyes temporal to the fovea, after a mean of four injections (range 3–6). Mean baseline BCVA was 0.25 decimal equivalent (logMAR 0.67) and improved despite the RPE tear to 0.6 decimal equivalent (logMAR 0.22). Conclusion: RPE tears following intravitreal ranibizumab injections for classic CNV can occur in about 5% of patients, even in the absence of baseline RPE detachment. Nevertheless, vision may improve provided the fovea is not involved.     

Intravitreal bevacizumab and ranibizumab injections for patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Purpose

To compare the effectiveness of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab and ranibizumab in patients with treatment-naïve polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Methods

A total of 66 and 60 eyes of 121 consecutive patients who received intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg) or ranibizumab (0.5 mg) injection for treatment of PCV were retrospectively reviewed. After initial three loading injections by month, injection was performed as needed. Main outcome measures included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), foveal center thickness (FCT) as assessed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and change in polypoidal lesion on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).

Results

At 12 months, average number of injections was 4.72±1.84 in the bevacizumab group and 5.52±1.54 in the ranibizumab group. Mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution of BCVA from baseline at 12 months after injection improved by 0.11 in the bevacizumab group (P=0.02) and by 0.14 in the ranibizumab group (P=0.01). Average FCT decreased from 368±62.48 to 298±40.77 μm in the bevacizumab group (P=0.01) and from 371±50.79 to 286±36.93 μm in the ranibizumab group (P=0.01). Polyp regression rate was 24.2% (16 eyes out of 66 eyes) in the bevacizumab group and 23.3% (14 eyes out of 60 eyes) in the ranibizumab group. There was no statistically significant difference in BCVA improvement achieved, FCT improvement achieved, and polyp regression rate between groups.

Conclusion

Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab and ranibizumab have similar effects in stabilization of visual acuity, macular edema, and regression of polypoidal complex with PCV eyes.     

玻璃体腔注射雷珠单抗与玻璃体腔注射雷珠单抗联合光动力疗法治疗息肉样脉络膜血管病变的视力预后比较

目的 比较玻璃体腔注射雷珠单抗（商品名：Lucentis)与玻璃体腔注射雷珠单抗联合光动力疗法（PDT）治疗息肉样脉络膜血管病变（PCV）的视力预后。方法 回顾性临床研究。临床确诊为PCV的36例患者36只眼分为玻璃体腔注射雷珠单抗（单纯注射）组与玻璃体腔注射雷珠单抗联合PDT（联合治疗）组,每组各18例18只眼。单纯注射组患者玻璃体腔注射10 mg/ml雷珠单抗0.05 ml（含雷珠单抗0.5 mg),注射后1个月按需给药;联合治疗组患者先行常规PDT治疗,3 d后再给予玻璃体腔注射雷珠单抗,注射方法同单纯注射组。联合治疗3个月后根据检查结果 确定是否需要重复注射治疗。治疗后随访时间至少12个月,观察患者的并发症发生情况;对比分析两组患者治疗前及治疗后最小分辨角对数（logMAR）最佳矫正视力（BCVA）的变化情况。结果 所有患者在治疗及随访过程中无视网膜脱离、持续高眼压、视网膜裂孔、眼内炎、全身不良反应等并发症发生。单纯注射组、联合治疗组平均注射雷珠单抗次数分别为(3.00±0.84)、（1.89±0.68）次;两组平均注射雷珠单抗次数比较,差异有统计学意义（t=4.370,P=0.000）。单纯注射组、联合治疗组患者治疗后1、3个月logMAR BCVA比较,差异无统计学意义（t=0.668、0.940,P＞0.05）。单纯注射组、联合治疗组患者治疗后6、12个月logMAR BCVA比较,差异有统计学意义（t=2.188、2.547,P＜0.05）。末次随访时,单纯注射组、联合治疗组logMAR BCVA均较治疗前明显提高,差异有统计学意义（t=3.351、9.408,P=0.012、0.000）。单纯注射组患眼中,视力提高3只眼,占16.7%;视力稳定13只眼,占72.2%;视力下降2只眼,占11.1%。联合治疗组患眼中,视力提高4只眼,占22.2%;视力稳定13只眼,占72.2%;视力下降1只眼,占5.6%。结论 玻璃体腔注射雷珠单抗与玻璃体腔注射雷珠单抗联合PDT治疗PCV均可明显提高患者视力。治疗后3个月内两种治疗方式的视力预后无明显差别;治疗后6~12个月,玻璃体腔注射雷珠单抗联合PDT治疗者视力预后优于玻璃体腔注射雷珠单抗治疗者。     

Ranibizumab treatment administered as needed for occult and minimally classic neovascular membranes in age-related macular degeneration

Purpose

To report the clinical experience of intravitreal ranibizumab administered as needed for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 41 patients (41 eyes) with occult and minimally classic neovascular membrane in AMD. Patients received intravitreal injections (0.5 mg) of ranibizumab and were monitored monthly for 12 months. Forty-one eyes were retreated at the discretion of the treating physician on an as-needed basis after the first injection, instead of initially giving three monthly injections. The main outcomes measured were change in mean visual acuity and central retinal thickness, and the total number of injections received by patients during the 12 months.

Results

At 12 months, the mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity improved by 0.078 logMAR units (P = 0.046) and the mean central retinal thickness decreased by 85.7 ??m (P < 0.001). Thirty of 41 eyes (73.2%) avoided any loss of vision, and 20 eyes (48.8 %) showed improved visual acuity. A mean of 4.07 injections were given over the 12 months.

Conclusions

Ranibizumab administered on an as-needed basis may stabilize visual acuity in patients with neovascular AMD.     

Local and Systemic Complications after Intravitreal Administration of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Agents in the Treatment of Different Ocular Diseases: A Five-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Purpose: To observe the frequency of complications in patients undergoing intravitreal anti-VEGF injections for different ocular diseases in a five-year period. Materials and Methods: Charts of patients receiving intravitreal anti-VEGF were retrospectively reviewed. Out of 1173 eyes, 762 were treated with bevacizumab, 382 with ranibizumab, and 29 with pegaptanib. Data recorded included demographic information, clinical findings, total injections received, and info about the onset of adverse effects. Results: 12.86% of the eyes treated with bevacizumab presented side-effects, while ratings in the ranibizumab and pegaptanib groups were 15.97% and 20.69%, respectively. Odds ratios calculated comparing incidences after each anti-VEGF are 0.78 (bevacizumab versus ranibizumab, p?=?0.152), 0.57 (bevacizumab versus pegaptanib, p?=?0.227), and 0.73 (ranibizumab versus pegaptanib, p?=?0.508). A total of 185 complications were detected (62.16% after bevacizumab). Ocular side-effects registered were 40 cases of sustained intraocular pression (IOP) elevation, one infectious uveitis, one retinal detachment, and one sub-retinal hemorrhage. Other cases were related to transient IOP elevation immediately after injection. Systemic complications registered were one case of nausea, one episode of chest pain with acute vision loss, and one case of acute blood hypertension. Conclusions: The majority of significant complications occurred in patients receiving multiple bevacizumab administrations. However, results may be affected by the difference in the utilization amount for each drug. AMD patients were the most represented, probably due to greater indication to treatment.     

Comparison of intravitreal ranibizumab and bevacizumab for the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion

AIM:To compare the efficacy of ranibizumab and bevacizumab for macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion (RVO).METHODS:A retrospective study was conducted at a single academic institution. Eighty-one patients na?ve to anti-VEGF therapy with RVO and macular edema were identified. Twenty-six eyes were treated with ranibizumab, 33 eyes with bevacizumab, and 22 eyes with bevacizumab then switched to ranibizumab (crossover). The main outcome was change in visual acuity at 3 months, 6 months, and final visit.RESULTS:The mean visual acuity improved from 20/80 to 20/40 in the ranibizumab (R) group and from 20/125 to 20/60 in the bevacizumab (B) group (P=0.66). The mean change in central subfield thickness (CST) was -186 and -212μm, respectively (P=0.69). Mean time between injections was 94±21.1d in the R group and 103.8±10.5d in the B group (P=0.78). In the crossover group, mean initial visual acuity was 20/125, reached 20/60 at crossover, and remained 20/60 at conclusion (P=0.91).CONCLUSION:Both ranibizumab and bevacizumab are effective for the treatment of RVO and appear to have similar visual and anatomic outcomes. Changing treatments from bevacizumab to ranibizumab did not result in further gains in visual acuity.      

Short-term effectiveness of intravitreal bevacizumab vs. ranibizumab injections for patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Purpose

To compare the effectiveness of intravitreal injections of bevacizumab and ranibizumab in patients with treatment-naive polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Methods

Records from 106 consecutive patients who received intraviteral bevacizumab (n = 58, 1.25 mg) or ranibizumab (n = 52, 0.5 mg) for treatment of PCV were retrospectively reviewed. After three initial monthly loading injections, injection was performed as needed. The main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), foveal central thickness (FCT) as assessed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and the changes in polypoidal lesions based on an indocyanine green angiography.

Results

The average number of injections was 3.31 ± 1.25 in the bevacizumab group and 3.44 ± 0.92 in the ranibizumab group. Mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution of BCVA from baseline to 6 months after injection improved by 0.17 in the bevacizumab group (p = 0.03) and by 0.19 in the ranibizumab group (p = 0.01). Average FCT decreased from 322 ± 62.48 µm to 274 ± 40.77 µm in the bevacizumab group (p = 0.02) and from 338 ± 50.79 µm to 286 ± 36.93 µm in the ranibizumab group (p = 0.02). Polyp regression rate was 20.7% (12 of 58 eyes) in the bevacizumab group and 21.2% (11 of 52 eyes) in the ranibizumab group. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in BCVA improvement achieved, FCT improvement achieved, and polyp regression rate between groups.

Conclusions

Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab and ranibizumab have similar effects in stabilizing of visual acuity, macular edema, and regression of polypoidal complex in PCV eyes over the short term.     

Therapie der retinalen angiomatösen Proliferation im Stadium III

Retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) is a subtype of exudative age-related macular degeneration which is characterized by an intraretinal origin of the lesion and a particularly poor prognosis. In this retrospective case study 33 eyes from 33 patients with stage III RAP lesions were included and initially treated with 3 intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg ranibizumab at monthly intervals. Criteria for extended treatment were visual deterioration, fresh bleeding, residual fluid or increase of the central retinal thickness in optical coherence tomography (OCT) as well as persisting activity in fluorescence angiography (FLA). The follow-up period was 8 months. The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) increased insignificantly from logMAR 0.71 at the start of therapy to logMAR 0.67 after the first 3 intravitreal treatment injections and remained stable up to 8 months. The mean decrease of the central retinal thickness after 4 months (-90 µm) and after 8 months (-70 µm) was significant. Of the patients included in the study 67 % were treated repeatedly and the mean frequency of reinjections was 2.27 injections after 8 months. The intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in patients with stage III RAP lesions resulted in functional and anatomical stabilization. In most cases repeated treatment is necessary which underlines the urgent need for close surveillance in follow-up     

Bevacizumab dosing every 2 weeks for neovascular age-related macular degeneration refractory to monthly dosing

Purpose:

To evaluate intravitreal bevacizumab every 2 weeks (biweekly) in refractory neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Study design:

Retrospective study.

Methods:

A retrospective study of consecutive nAMD patients unresponsive to monthly intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) switched to 3–4 biweekly injections.

Results:

Twenty-seven eyes of patients aged 82.08 ?± 6.85 years were included. Prior to the 2-week interval bevacizumab injections, 74.1% (n=20) were treated with both bevacizumab and ranibizumab, 11.1% (3 eyes) also received aflibercept and 14.8% (4 eyes) had received prior treatment of monthly bevacizumab (average number of injections 21.5 ± 6.7). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) remained stable between baseline (logMAR 0.72± 0.60) and follow-up (0.76± 0.66) (p=0.41). Mean central macular thickness and macular volume did not change significantly between baseline and follow-up (p=0.35 and p=0.60, respectively). Six eyes (22.2%) showed morphologic anatomic improvements, while 19 eyes (70.4%) were stable and two eyes (7.4%) deteriorated from baseline. Subretinal fluid completely resolved in 3 of the eyes and improved in the other 3 eyes and in this group (22.2%) both central macular thickness (326.2 ± 101.4 versus 297.5 ± 97.2, p=0.002) and macular volume (8.69 ± 1.69 versus 8.22 ± 1.43, p=0.03) were significantly reduced. No adverse events were observed in any of the treated eyes.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that biweekly bevacizumab injections are effective in nearly one-quarter of nAMD non-responders with no adverse events reported. Switching earlier, rather than later, to this low cost modality may be of benefit for a portion of non-responders to conventional treatment.

     

Intravitreous injection of bevacizumab for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

Background/PurposeTo evaluate the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab on subretinal fluid absorption in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR).Materials and methodsThis was a retrospective case series study. Patients with CSCR symptoms for > 3 months and who received intravitreal injection of bevacizumab were included. Ocular examinations were carried out at baseline and every follow-up visit, including visual acuity, fundus examination, and optic coherence tomography.ResultsTwelve eyes in 12 patients were included in this study. One month after injection, three of the 12 patients who had increased central macular thickness were considered nonresponders. Nine of the 12 patients who had decreased central macular thickness were considered to have responded to intravitreal bevacizumab injection. The response rate was 75%. In the response group, the mean central macular thickness significantly decreased, from 306.7 ± 77.8 μm to 204.3 ± 59.3 μm (p = 0.001) at 1 month. The mean Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (logMAR) visual acuity was significantly improved from 0.72 ± 0.35 to 0.50 ± 0.28 (p = 0.008). Six of these nine patients had stable conditions lasting > 6 months. Three of them had recurrence.ConclusionIntravitreal bevacizumab injections improved subretinal fluid absorption in some patients with CSCR. It could be an alternative therapy for patients with CSCR, especially when they are not suitable for other treatments.     

Effects of three consecutive monthly intravitreal injection of ranibizumab for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in Korea

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of three consecutive monthly injections of intravitreal ranibizumab for the treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in Korea. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 25 patients (27 eyes) with PCV was conducted. Patients received three initial monthly intravitreal injections (0.5 mg) of ranibizumab and were monitored monthly for 12mo between January 2010 and October 2011. Reinjection of ranibizumab after three initial monthly loading was administered on an as-needed basis, guided by the optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). The main outcomes were the changes of the mean best corrected Snellen visual acuity (VA), central macular thickness (CMT) by OCT, the changes of polyps and branching vascular network by FA and ICGA, and total number of injections received by patients during the 12mo. RESULTS: The mean best corrected Snellen visual acuities at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12mo after primary injection were 0.77±0.59, 0.76±0.53, 0.70±0.47, 0.63±0.43, 0.61±0.43, 0.62±0.42 logMAR, respectively, and showed significant improvement at 3, 6, 12mo (P=0.003, P=0.002, P=0.018, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). The mean CMT at baseline, 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12mo was 312.41±66.38 μm, 244.59±71.47 μm, 232.32±69.41 μm, 226.69±69.03 μm, 228.62±37.07 μm, 227.59±51.01 μm respectively, and showed significant reduction (all P<0.001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Polypoidal lesions resolved on ICGA in 3 eyes (11.1%) and a branching vascular network remained in all 24 eyes (88.9%). A total of 106 injections were given in the 12-month period, which equaled to a mean of 3.92 (range, 3-6) times. Sixteen of the 27 treated eyes had additional 1.56±0.91 injections. The others (11 eyes) had just 3 consecutive injections. CONCLUSION: An initial loading dose of three monthly ranibizumab injections is a safe and effective method in treating PCV, with visual and anatomical improvement over one year follow-up.