One-year outcome after intravitreal ranibizumab for large, serous pigment epithelial detachment secondary to age-related macular degeneration

Aim

To report the effects of intravitreal ranibizumab therapy for large, serous pigment epithelial detachment (PED), secondary to age-related macular degeneration, and occupying more than 50% of the total lesion area.

Materials and methods

In a retrospective case series, visual acuity, ocular coherence tomography (OCT), and safety data were collected for 19 eyes of 19 patients, with serous PED and evidence of disease progression. Intravitreal ranibizumab of 0.5 mg was given with a loading phase of three consecutive monthly injections, followed by monthly review with further treatment, as indicated according to visual acuity and OCT findings. The change in visual acuity and maximum PED height from baseline to month 12 was determined.

Results

Moderate visual loss was avoided in 18/19 eyes (95%) at the 12-month examination. In all, 12 eyes (63%) had an increase in ETDRS letter score from baseline, and five eyes (26%) had a gain of 15 or more letters. Although there was a trend for the PED height to reduce with treatment, in none of the cases was the PED seen to resolve completely. There was no difference in functional or anatomical outcome between the avascular and vascularised serous PED. A single eye developed a retinal pigment epithelium rip, complicated by extensive sub-retinal haemorrhage, during the study period.

Conclusions

Visual acuity outcomes of intravitreal ranibizumab for large serous PED are comparable to those seen in multicentre, phase 3 trials of other lesion types, and were obtained without the need for either monthly, fixed treatment, or for continued treatment until the PED resolves.     

Retinal pigment epithelial tears after intravitreal bevacizumab injection for exudative age-related macular degeneration

Purpose: To determine the incidence of and the risk factors for the development of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) tears after intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) injection for the treatment of exudative age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: A retrospective, multicentre, consecutive interventional case series of all patients with subfoveal exudative AMD treated with intravitreal bevacizumab between August 2005 and April 2007. The main outcome measures were pre‐ and post‐RPE tear visual acuity and choroidal neovascular membrane lesion types, incidence of tears and time from first injection until development of the tear. Results: A total of 920 eyes with exudative AMD were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab. Fifteen eyes from 15 patients developed a RPE tear for an incidence of 1.6%. The average patient age was 79 years. Fourteen of the fifteen eyes (93%) had an occult subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane. Forty‐seven per cent (7/15) of the RPE tears occurred within the first 6 weeks of treatment, and all tears occurred within the first 18 weeks of treatment initiation. The mean pre‐injection visual acuity was 20/100 with a mean post‐tear visual acuity of 20/200. In all 10 eyes in which the tear involved the fovea, the final visual acuity was poor. Six of the 15 eyes continued with bevacizumab/ranibizumab (Lucentis) injections after tear development, and four of these six eyes continued to have visual improvement. Conclusion: RPE tears occur after intravitreal bevacizumab injections for exudative AMD in approximately 1.6% of eyes and can cause severe vision loss. Maintenance of therapy may help preserve vision after RPE tear development.     

Retinal pigment epithelial tears after intravitreal bevacizumab injection for exudative age-related macular degeneration

We report a series of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) tears after intravitreal bevacizumab therapy for choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Retinal pigment epithelial tears were estimated to occur at an incidence of 1.6% in this patient population at our institution. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this rare but serious finding associated with exudative macular degeneration therapy.     

渗出型老年性黄斑变性的光学相干断层扫描观察

目的 观察渗出型老年性黄斑变性(age-related macular degeneration,AMD)的光学相干断层扫描(optical coherence tomography,OCT)图像特征。 方法 对荧光素眼底血管造影(fundus fluorescein angiography,FFA)确诊的16例渗出型AMD患者的19只患眼作OCT检查,其中4例6只眼并进行吲哚青绿血管造影(indocyanine green angiography, ICGA)检查。对其彩色眼底像、FFA、ICGA和OCT图像资料进行比较。 结果 与FFA、ICGA检查结果比较,AMD患眼的OCT改变主要有：①浆液性神经上皮脱离和层间水肿11只眼;②视网膜层间出血2只眼;③浆液性色素上皮脱离5只眼;④出血性色素上皮脱离10只眼;⑤瘢痕性脉络膜新生血管(choroidal neovascularization,CNV)4只眼;⑥纤维血管膜性色素上皮脱离和隐匿型 CNV 12只眼。 结论 OCT从断面上观察和诊断渗出型AMD病变,对FFA、ICGA有补充作用。(中华眼底病杂志,2000,16:220-223)     

Retinal pigment epithelial tears after pegaptanib injection for exudative age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To report two cases of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tears following intravitreal pegaptanib injections for occult choroidal neovascularization. DESIGN: Noncomparative case series. METHODS: The charts of two patients with pigment epithelial tears after receiving intravitreal pegaptanib were reviewed. Approval from the institutional review board and informed consent were obtained before chart review. Fundus photos, intravenous fluorescein angiograms, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were obtained before and after therapy confirmed the diagnosis. RESULTS: Two patients had turbid pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) and occult choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) treated with intravitreal pegaptanib. Both patients developed RPE tears weeks following one intravitreal pegaptanib injection. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes the development of RPE tears after intravitreal pegaptanib injection. Caution should be taken in cases of turbid pigment epithelial detachments in the monocular patient when treatment with intravitreal pegaptanib is entertained. Future studies should be performed to evaluate which subtypes of lesions are most susceptible to this devastating visual complication.     

One-year results of combined photodynamic therapy and intravitreal bevacizumab injection for retinal pigment epithelial detachment secondary to age-related macular degeneration

Background  To evaluate the efficacy of combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal bevacizumab injection in eyes with a serous pigment epithelial detachment (PED) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods  Twenty-two eyes with a serous PED exceeding two disc areas associated with AMD with choroidal vascular abnormalities [choroidal neovascularization (n = 10), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (n = 9), and retinal angiomatous proliferation (n = 3)] received combined PDT and intravitreal bevacizumab, and were followed about every 6 weeks for more than 1 year. Additional treatments were given for residual or recurrent lesions. The main outcome measures were changes in the PED height measured by optical coherence tomography, and the best-corrected visual acuity. Results  After one treatment, the PED resolved in 12 eyes (55%) and the PED decreased in ten eyes (45%). There was no recurrence in eight (36%) eyes; however, PED recurred in 14 eyes. At 1 year, the average PED height decreased to 413 microns from the baseline 751 microns (p < 0.001). Twenty eyes (91%) had improved or stabilized vision; two eyes had decreased vision due to a retinal pigment epithelial tear and subretinal hemorrhage. Conclusions  Combined PDT and intravitreal bevacizumab may decrease the PED height and stabilize visual acuity at 1 year. The authors have no proprietary and financial interest in any aspect of this report.     

渗出型老年黄斑变性患者眼底相干光断层成像结果分析

目的：了解渗出型老年黄斑变性（age-related macular degeneration,AMD）患者的眼底相干光断层成像（optical coherence tomography,OCT）特征。方法：对经常规检查、荧光素眼底血管造影（fundus fluorescein angiography,FFA）、吲哚青绿脉络血管造影（indocyanine green angiography,ICGA）确诊的渗出型AMD患者38例（42只眼）行眼底OCT检查,分析其图像资料,并与其FFA和ICGA检查结果进行比较。结果：OCT图像特征：典型纤维性新生血管膜34只眼,浆液性视网膜神经上皮脱离38只眼,视网膜神经纤维层脱离合并层间水肿8只眼,出血性和浆液性视网膜色素上皮（retinal pigment epithelium,RPE）脱离分别为11只眼和9只眼。结论：渗出型AMD患者眼底OCT图像特征为典型的纤维性新生血管膜合并浆液性视网膜神经上皮脱离、视网膜神经纤维层脱离、浆液性和出血性RPE脱离。上述图像特点证实和补充了FFA和ICGA检查结果,有助于渗出型AMD的诊断和评价。     

Correlation of optical coherence tomography with angiography in retinal pigment epithelial detachment associated with age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To correlate optical coherence tomography (OCT) with angiographic signs of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in retinal pigment epithelial detachment (PED) associated with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS: Prospectively, the authors performed OCT in 35 eyes of 35 patients (30 men and 5 women with a mean age of 71.6 years [range, 56-76 years]) with ARMD. All 35 eyes had CNV in the area of PED or adjacent to it, which was shown by fluorescein or indocyanine green angiography. Cross-sectional images were obtained by the OCT scanning line through the CNV and PED. RESULTS: In 10 (56%) of 18 eyes in which the CNV was at the margin of the PED, a small PED was adjacent to the central, dome-shaped PED. There was a notch between the central and small mounds of PED. In 13 (76%) of 17 eyes in which the CNV was within the PED, a notch was seen in the dome-shaped PED, resulting in a contour with 2 mounds. One of the 2 mounds contained a highly reflective mass immediately beneath the detached retinal pigment epithelium in 8 (62%) of the 13 eyes. CONCLUSION: A tomographic notch in the PED may be diagnostically important as an indication of CNV beneath the detached retinal pigment epithelium in eyes with ARMD.     

Retinal pigment epithelial tear following intravitreal ranibizumab injections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Background To report the development of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) tear after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (Lucentis, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland). Methods Case report with presentation of the fundus photography, fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings. Results A 70-year-old man received intravitreal injections of ranibizumab for the treatment of occult choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) with fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment due to age-related macular degeneration. One day after the third intravitreal ranibizumab injection, fundus examination showed a RPE defect at the foveal region. FA and OCT confirmed the presence of RPE tear sparing the fovea. No further progression of the RPE tear was observed after withholding subsequent ranibizumab injection and his right eye visual acuity remained at 20/100 at 3 months from the last injection. Conclusions As with other anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for CNV, RPE tear might occur after intravitreal ranibizumab injection even after previous uneventful intravitreal injections.     

Retinal pigment epithelial tears after intravitreal bevacizumab injection for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To study retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tears after off-label intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA) injection for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Eyes with a vascularized pigment epithelial detachment (PED) that developed an RPE tear were compared with eyes with a vascularized PED but without an RPE tear. METHODS: Nine retina specialists across the United States and in Europe participated in this retrospective case series. All eyes that received intravitreal bevacizumab injection for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) over 12 months (October 2005 to September 2006) were included. Eyes without all three confirmed tests (fluorescein angiography, fundus photography, and optical coherence tomography) were excluded from analysis. Statistical analyses were performed on multiple characteristics of eyes with a vascularized PED that did and did not develop an RPE tear. RESULTS: Among 2,785 intravitreal bevacizumab injections for 1,064 eyes, RPE tears were found in 22 eyes in 22 patients (2.2%). A vascularized PED was present in 21 of 22 eyes that developed an RPE tear (17.1% of PED eyes; 15, 100% occult CNV; 6, predominantly occult CNV). Mean interval from bevacizumab injections to RPE tears was 37.3 days. Mean follow-up time was 124.9 days. Mean subfoveal PED size was larger for eyes with tears than for those without tears (13.97 mm vs 9.9 mm, respectively; P = 0.01; odds ratio, 1.09). There was substantially smaller mean ratio of CNV size to PED size for eyes with tears than for those without tears (27.9% vs 67.6%, respectively; P = 0.005). Mean pre-bevacizumab injection best-corrected Snellen visual acuity was 20/162, and mean post-RPE tear best-corrected visual acuity was 20/160 (P = 0.48). CONCLUSION: Large PED size is a predictor for RPE tears, and a small ratio of CNV size to PED size (<50%) is more common in eyes with RPE tears. Vision may be preserved despite RPE tears.     

Optical coherence tomography-based intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

To evaluate optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based intravitreal ranibizumab treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the charts of consecutive patients who received intravitreal ranibizumab for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization due to AMD were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with less than 6 months follow-up were excluded. OCT was performed at baseline and at monthly intervals for induction therapy. Injections were given monthly until no improvement was observed between successive OCTs. In the maintenance period, reinjections were performed for any recurrence of macular fluid on OCT. Main outcome measures were visual acuity and number of injections given. Twenty-five eyes of 22 patients with mean follow-up of 16 months [standard deviation (SD) = 3.7 months] had mean improvement of 1.6 lines of Snellen visual acuity (SD 2.9, 95% confidence interval 0.48–2.9, P = 0.008). Visual acuity was stable (≤3 lines of visual acuity lost) in 22 eyes (88%). Nine eyes (36%) gained ≥3 lines. Three eyes (12%) lost ≥3 lines. A mean of 6.0 (SD 2.7) injections were given over a follow-up period ranging from 8 to 21 months. We conclude that OCT-based intravitreal ranibizumab treatment for neovascular AMD offered excellent visual acuity results and reduced the number of injections compared with monthly dosing.     

Retinal pigment epithelium tear after intravitreal bevacizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To report on the development of retinal pigment epithelium tears after intravitreal injections of bevacizumab as treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: The study included 63 patients who received an intravitreal injection of 1.5 mg bevacizumab as treatment of a detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium attributable to AMD and who had a follow-up of at least two months. RESULTS: Four patients (6%) developed a tear of the retinal pigment epithelium in the parafoveal region. Compared with the baseline value, visual acuity at the end of follow-up remained stable in three patients and declined in the fourth patient. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab may be followed by a tear of the retinal pigment epithelium in eyes with exudative AMD and a retinal pigment epithelium detachment.     

Retinal pigment epithelium hyperplasia overlying pigment epithelial detachment in age-related macular degeneration can masquerade as neovascularization on optical coherence tomography angiography

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - To report the image artifacts due to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) hyperplasia overlying retinal pigment epithelial detachment...