玻璃体腔注射曲安奈德治疗视网膜静脉阻塞黄斑水肿

目的:评价玻璃体腔注射曲安奈德治疗视网膜静脉阻塞合并黄斑水肿的疗效及并发症。方法:患者30例30眼玻璃体腔注射曲安奈德4mg治疗视网膜静脉阻塞合并黄斑水肿,观察治疗前、后的最佳矫正视力、眼压、裂隙灯显微镜检查、眼底荧光血管造影和光学相干断层扫描的变化,采用SPSS 12.0软件进行统计学分析。结果:所有患者手术后视力均显著提高,平均黄斑中心凹厚度(CMT)显著减少。病程、年龄、注射前CMT及视网膜静脉阻塞的类型和视力预后无相关性,注射前视力与注射后末次视力呈正相关。结论:玻璃体腔注射曲安奈德治疗视网膜静脉阻塞合并黄斑水肿简单、安全、易操作,短期内可以迅速减轻黄斑水肿,最终的视力预后取决于治疗前的视力,部分患者在注射后3 ～6mo可能复发。     

玻璃体腔注射Bevacizumab(Avastin)治疗湿性ARMD临床观察

目的:观察玻璃体腔注射bevacizumab(avastin)治疗湿性年龄相关性黄斑变性(age-related macular degeneration,ARMD)的疗效和安全性。方法:对22例22眼湿性ARMD患者行玻璃体腔注射bevacizumab1.25mg,间隔6wk再注射1次,第12wk对检查发现黄斑区水肿或渗漏明显的再注射1次。随访6mo,术后第1wk;1,3,6mo行视力、眼压、裂隙灯、间接检眼镜及光学相干断层扫描(optical coherence tomography,OCT)检查,第3,6mo行荧光素眼底血管造影(fundusfluorescence angiography,FFA)、彩色眼底照相检查,分析治疗前后患者平均视力及黄斑中心视网膜厚度(centralmacular thickness,CMT)的改变。结果:至第6mo随访,平均视力较治疗前有所提高,平均CMT比治疗前减少92.59μm,均有显著意义;FFA显示黄斑区渗漏均消失或明显减轻。除4例局部球结膜下出血,没有观察到其他不良反应。结论:玻璃体腔注射bevacizumab能够提高湿性ARMD患者的视力,减轻黄斑水肿;重复注射可以巩固疗效,减少复发。长期效果和安全性还需要更多病例和更长随访观察时间来评估。     

玻璃体腔注射曲安奈德联合激光治疗视网膜黄斑分支静脉阻塞黄斑水肿

目的:观察玻璃体腔注射曲安奈德(triamcinolone ace-tonide,TA)联合激光治疗视网膜黄斑分支静脉阻塞黄斑水肿的临床疗效。方法:将经过视力、眼压、眼底检查、眼底彩色照相、荧光素眼底血管造影(FFA)、光相干断层扫描(OCT)检查确诊的164例164眼视网膜黄斑分支静脉阻塞伴黄斑水肿患者纳入治疗。男90例90眼,女74例74眼,年龄20～80(平均59.7)岁。矫正视力0.02～0.6,logMAR视力为0.778±0.347。病程3d～2a。平均眼压15.22mmHg(1mmHg=0.133kPa)。FFA检查黄斑区晚期均有荧光素蓄积;OCT示平均黄斑中心凹视网膜厚度442.41±74.07μm。表面麻醉下给予4mgTA玻璃体腔注射,2wk后进行黄斑区光凝治疗。治疗后第1,3,6mo随访。结果:164例患者治疗后1,3,6mo的平均logMAR最佳矫正视力(BCVA)分别提高至0.49±0.34,0.44±0.34,0.43±0.33,与治疗前比较,差异均有统计学意义。治疗后6mo视力提高135眼(82.3%),其中视力提高≥2者103眼(62.8%);治疗后1,3,6moFFA检查黄斑区晚期荧光素蓄积均有减轻或消失,治疗后1,3,6mo,OCT检查平均黄斑中心凹视网膜厚度分别为253.99±63.99μm,239.84±53.74μm,234.55±51.32μm;与治疗前比较,差异均有统计学意义。治疗后6mo,黄斑水肿改善者147眼(89.6%)。玻璃体腔注药后3d之内有4眼发生假性眼内炎,观察及治疗后恢复至可行激光治疗,治疗后3mo时有11眼眼压高于正常,用药后均恢复至正常范围。结论:玻璃体腔注射TA联合激光治疗视网膜黄斑分支静脉阻塞引起的黄斑水肿疗效较好,明显提高视力,改善视功能,促使黄斑水肿消退或减轻。     

玻璃体腔注射抗血管内皮生长因子单克隆抗体bevacizumab治疗视网膜分支静脉阻塞伴黄斑水肿的疗效观察

血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)是潜在的新生血管刺激物,可促进血管内皮细胞增生,增加血管通透性,在视网膜分支静脉阻塞(BRVO)伴黄斑水肿的发生发展中起着重要作用[1].抗血管内皮生长因子单克隆抗体bevacizumab(商品名Avastin)能结合并阻断所有VEGF异构体,使内源化VEGF的生物活性失效[2].对于BRVO伴黄斑水肿的患者,单次玻璃体腔注射bevacizumab可提高患眼视力,降低黄斑中心视网膜厚度(CMT),但效果并不持久[3,4],联合激光光凝治疗较单一注射治疗对视力预后更好[5].     

雷珠单抗治疗视网膜中央静脉阻塞并发黄斑水肿的报告

目的：：探讨玻璃体腔内注射雷珠单抗治疗视网膜中央静脉阻塞并发黄斑水肿的临床疗效。方法：选取2015-03/09我院收治的视网膜中央静脉阻塞并发黄斑水肿患者30例30眼行雷珠单抗玻璃体腔内注射,1次/mo,治疗1~3mo,治疗结束后随诊3mo,比较患者注射后最佳矫正视力、眼压、黄斑中心凹视网膜厚度、黄斑水肿消退率及眼底荧光血管造影检查结果。结果：随着雷珠单抗注射次数的增加,患者的最佳矫正视力逐渐提高(P<0.05),黄斑中心凹视网膜厚度明显下降(P<0.05),眼压与治疗前比较并无明显变化(P>0.05)。第1、2、3次注射后患者黄斑水肿消退率分别为47%、68%、94%。结论：玻璃体腔内注射雷珠单抗能够有效缓解视网膜中央静脉阻塞继发的黄斑水肿,明显改善患者的视力。     

曲安奈德治疗视网膜分支静脉阻塞继发黄斑水肿的疗效评估

目的 应用光学相干断层扫描(optical coherence to mo graphy,OCT)和多焦视网膜电流图(multifocal electmretinogram.mfERG),随访观察曲安奈德玻璃体腔注射治疗视网膜分支静脉阻塞继发黄斑水肿患者的疗效.方法 对28例视网膜分支静脉阻塞继发黄斑水肿患者,于曲安奈德玻璃体腔注射前后进行视力及OCT、nfERG检查,对比分析视力与视网膜神经上皮层厚度及黄斑区视功能变化.结果 :与治疗前相比,视力均有不同幅度的提高;视网膜神经上皮层厚度平均厚度明显降低;中心凹处(1环)P1波振幅密度增加,均与治疗前比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 应用OCT、mfERG随访检查,司以对病情的发展进行有效的跟踪观察,为曲安奈德玻璃体腔注射治疗的疗效提供可靠的依据.     

Avastin联合曲安奈德玻璃体腔注射治疗糖尿病视网膜病变伴黄斑水肿

目的:观察Avastin联合曲安奈德玻璃体腔注射治疗糖尿病视网膜病变(diabetic retinopathy,DR)伴黄斑水肿(macularedema,ME)的临床效果。方法:选取2007-03/2008-04我院门诊或住院的DR伴ME患者34例,每例均为双眼发病,随机分为观察组17例,对照组17例,观察组采用玻璃体腔Avastin(20g/L)、曲安奈德(40g/L)联合注射治疗,对照组采用玻璃体腔曲安奈德(40g/L)注射治疗。观察并记录视力、眼压、视网膜新生血管和ME情况。结果:观察组的治愈率为64.7%,而对照组的治愈率仅为41.2%,观察组治愈率明显优于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:Avastin联合曲安奈德玻璃体腔注射治疗糖尿病视网膜病变伴黄斑水肿的有效的方法。     

玻璃体腔内注射康柏西普治疗视网膜静脉阻塞继发黄斑水肿

目的：观察玻璃体腔内注射康柏西普治疗视网膜静脉阻塞( retinal vein occlusion,RVO)继发黄斑水肿的临床效果及安全性。方法：回顾性观察我院2016-01/03间收治的RVO继发黄斑水肿的患者22例22眼,3 mo内给予3次玻璃体腔内注射康柏西普0.05mL(0.5mg),比较治疗前后患者的视力变化情况,光学相干断层扫描( OCT )检查,眼底荧光造影( FFA)及眼底出血吸收情况。结果：所选患者玻璃体内注射康柏西普在1wk,1、2、3mo后平均视力均有不同程度的提高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。 OCT图像显示黄斑中心凹视网膜厚度明显变薄,与治疗前相比差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后3 mo检查FFA显示视网膜渗漏明显减轻,眼底出血明显吸收。结论：玻璃体腔内注射抗VEGF药物康柏西普治疗RVO继发的黄斑水肿疗效肯定,但远期疗效及注射药物的频率尚需进一步观察与探讨。     

Bevacizumab治疗视网膜静脉阻塞继发黄斑水肿的临床观察

目的：评价玻璃体腔内注射bevacizumab(贝伐珠单抗)治疗视网膜静脉阻塞(retinal vein occlusion,RVO)的临床效果与安全性。

方法：对50例56眼接受玻璃体腔注射bevacizumab(1.75mg)治疗的视网膜静脉阻塞患者进行回顾性分析,通过常规眼科检查方法、光学相干断层扫描(OCT)、眼底荧光血管造影(FFA)等方法,观察治疗后1,2,3,6mo 最佳矫正视力(best corrected visual acuity,BCVA)、眼压、晶状体、玻璃体、黄斑中心凹厚度(central foveal thickness,CFT)变化,与治疗前对比分析。对注射后渗漏无明显改善或病情反复者进行眼内重复注射,所有病例都完成至少6mo的观察随访。玻璃体腔内注射bevacizumab 1.75mg,每6wk注射一次。

结果：患者50例56眼平均年龄57±18.56岁。患者48眼视力和黄斑水肿得到改善,治疗前患者的基线平均对数BCVA为logMAR0.82±0.63,CFT为626.5±178.0μm,注药后1wk虽然平均CFT没有显著改善,但BCVA有显著提高,经平均10.26±5.87mo的随访,BCVA,CFT均较基线有显著改善,CFT的统计结果显示,患者治疗后1,2,3mo黄斑中心视网膜厚度均较治疗前存在显著性差异,即黄斑中心视网膜厚度较治疗前明显变薄,黄斑水肿明显改善。RVO所致黄斑水肿(ME)患者治疗后1,3,12mo CFT分别为365.11±23.212,333.42±35.526,267.6±116.8μm,相比较有显著性差异(P<0.01),CRVO-ME和BRVO-ME在治疗前后各时间点的CFT之间比较无统计学差异(P>0.05)。OCT图像显示治疗后黄斑视网膜厚度明显变薄。FFA显示治疗后黄斑区荧光素渗漏明显减少,即黄斑水肿明显消退。终末随访时患者BCVA提高至少两行者为48眼(86%),稳定者为8眼(14%)。本组患者共接受了112次玻璃体腔内注射,平均注射次数为1.96次/眼,有50%再注射能在术后1wk使视力提高两行或两行以上。治疗过程中未发现严重不良反应。

结论：玻璃体腔内注射bevacizumab可改善视网膜静脉阻塞(CRVO,BRVO)继发黄斑水肿患者的视功能(VA),减轻黄斑水肿,减少CNV渗漏,且重复治疗效果更佳。但长期治疗效果需要进一步观察。本研究中未发现与药物有关的严重的眼部及全身不良反应。     

玻璃体腔注射阿瓦斯汀治疗视网膜静脉阻塞性黄斑水肿

目的评价玻璃体腔注射阿瓦斯汀治疗视网膜静脉阻塞（RVO）性黄斑水肿的疗效。方法回顾分析接受玻璃体腔注射阿瓦斯汀治疗视网膜静脉阻塞性黄斑水肿的患者34例（35眼）,所有患者均接受一次或多次玻璃体腔内注射阿瓦斯汀1.25 mg（0.05 mL）。治疗前及治疗后进行最佳矫正视力（BCVA）、眼压、裂隙灯显微镜及间接检眼镜检查,并行光学相干断层扫描（OCT）、荧光素眼底血管造影（FFA）检查。对比分析治疗前后视力及黄斑中心凹视网膜厚度（CMT）的改变。结果平均视力治疗前为（0.19±0.20）,治疗后为（0.35±0.24）,CMT平均值治疗前为（579±145）μm,治疗后为（359±120）μm。与术前相比差异均有统计学意义。随访中未见眼压异常改变及与药物有关的眼部和全身不良反应。结论玻璃体腔注射阿瓦斯汀后,黄斑水肿明显减轻,视力稳定并提高,必要时需要连续注射治疗,长期效果需进一步观察。     

Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) in the treatment of macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To report the authors' experience after intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) injection in patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusive disease (BRVO). METHODS: A consecutive retrospective review of patients with ME secondary to BRVO who were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL). Patients underwent complete ophthalmic evaluation, which included nonstandardized Snellen visual acuity testing, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and/or angiographic testing at baseline and follow-up visits. RESULTS: There were 27 consecutive patients who received intravitreal bevacizumab injections. The mean length of follow-up was 5.3 months (median 6 months, range 3-8 months). The mean visual acuity improved from 20/200(-) at baseline to 20/100(-) at 1 month and 20/100(+) at 3 months and last follow-up (P < 0.001). The mean central 1 mm macular thickness was 478 microm at baseline and decreased to 310, 336, and 332 microm at 1 month, 3 months, and last follow-up (P < 0.001). Patients received an average of two injections (range one to three). No adverse side effects were observed following injections. CONCLUSION: The observed anatomic (by ophthalmic examination, OCT, and/or fluorescence angiography) and visual acuity improvements and lack of serious adverse side effects after intravitreal bevacizumab injection demonstrates, in principle, the potential of bevacizumab for the treatment of ME in this setting.     

The effects of intravitreal bevacizumab on patients with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion

Objective: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab on visual acuity (VA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) in patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).Design: Retrospective review.Participants: The study included 42 patients with ME secondary to BRVO who received intravitreal injections of bevacizumab in 2 referral-based retinal practices in Vancouver, B.C., between November 2005 and July 2006.Methods: We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients with ME secondary to BRVO. All of the patients in this study had nonischemic BRVOs. Patients were all treated with at least 1 bevacizumab injection and were seen at 6- to 8-week intervals for VA testing. Most of the patients also underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) 2 months and 6 months after treatment. VA and OCT measurements at each follow-up time point were compared with the baseline values.Results: A total of 42 eyes from 42 patients with ME secondary to BRVO were reviewed. The mean VA improved from 20/280 at baseline to 20/180 at first follow-up session (p < 0.04; average follow-up = 42 days) and remained at a similar level, 20/170, through the eighth follow-up session (p < 0.04; average follow-up = 356). The CRT was reduced from a mean of 451 μm (388-512 μm) at baseline to 358 μm (298-418 μm) at 2 months (p < 0.02) and to 400 μm (335-465 μm) at 6 months postinjection (p < 0.068).Conclusions: We found a significant improvement in VA and CRT in patients with ME secondary to BRVO after intravitreal bevacizumab injection(s). No complications or serious side effects were observed. Intravitreal bevacizumab appears to have an emerging role as either a primary or an adjuvant treatment modality in the setting of ME secondary to BRVO.     

Twenty-Four-Month Results of Intravitreal Bevacizumab in Macular Edema Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in macular edema (ME) due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in a real clinical practice setting at a tertiary referral center. Methods: A retrospective analysis of a final total number of 35 eyes of 35 patients with a 24-month follow-up was performed. Results: At 24 months, mean best-corrected visual acuity improved by 0.09 LogMAR units from baseline (95% CI: ?0.03–0.24, p?=?0.0674). The mean CFT decreased by 75 microns (95% CI: 27–123, p?=?0.0026). The median number of injections was 6 (IQR: 3–9). Macular edema showed complete resolution in 12 eyes (34.3%), responded partially in six eyes (17%), recurred in eight eyes (23%), and remained persistent in nine eyes (25.7%, three eyes at six months, one eye at 12 months, three eyes at 18 months and two eyes at 24 months). Conclusion: Our study shows that treatment with IVB in patients with ME due to BRVO during a period of 24 months provided complete resolution of the ME in more than one-third of patients. In one-third of the cases, ME resolved partially or recurred and in less than one-third of patients ME remained persistent. Visual acuity increased significantly in 23% of patients and remained stable in the majority of patients. However, a median number of six injections was necessary to maintain a lasting beneficial effect. Further long-term prospective studies are required comparing intravitreal bevacizumab with other treatment modalities.     

Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) for retinal angiomatous proliferation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term visual acuity and anatomic responses after intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) treatment in patients with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective review of consecutive patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent RAP treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg) during a 3-month period. Complete ocular examination was performed at baseline and follow-up visits. Interval data were analyzed statistically at 1 and 3 months follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-three eyes of 23 patients underwent intravitreal bevacizumab treatment. The mean age of patients was 81.1 years, median baseline visual acuity of treated eyes was 20/80 (range 20/25-20/800), and mean baseline central macular thickness was 335 mum (optical coherence tomography was available for 22 eyes). Nine eyes had retinal pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) at baseline. At 1-month follow-up, the median acuity improved to 20/60 (range 20/30-20/400) (P < 0.001), mean central macular thickness decreased to 202 microm (P < 0.001), and PED was present in only 2 eyes (P = 0.016). Seven of 23 eyes at 1 month (30.4%) had improved visual acuity, defined as halving of the visual angle, and no eyes had worse acuity, defined as doubling of the visual angle. Of the 17 eyes available for 3-month follow-up, 5 eyes (29.4%) had better visual acuity, 1 eye (5.9%) had worse acuity, and the remaining 11 (64.7%) had the same acuity. The median visual acuity at month 3 was 20/60 (range 20/25-20/400). There were no thromboembolic phenomena, endophthalmitis cases, retinal detachments, or any other adverse events. CONCLUSION: Treatment of RAP with intravitreal bevacizumab during this retrospective review resulted in a significant decrease in macular thickness and improvement or stabilization of visual acuity. Further long-term investigation is warranted given the promising short-term results.     

Prognostic factors for visual outcome after intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic factors for visual outcome after intravitreal bevacizumab injection to treat macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: Fifty eyes of 50 consecutive patients treated with intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema due to BRVO with minimum follow-up of 3 months were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the final visual acuity. Group 1 consisted of eyes with 5 or more ETDRS letters gain, and group 2 consisted of eyes with less than 5 letters improvement or which had worsened at last follow-up visit. Comparative clinical and fluorescein angiographic characteristics were analyzed between the two groups. RESULTS: Of 50 eyes, 28 (56%) had improved vision after intravitreal bevacizumab injections and were categorized as group 1; 22 eyes (44%) were categorized as group 2. The number of early VA gainers, who showed visual improvement at 1 month after bevacizumab injection, was significantly higher in group 1 (P < 0.001, chi-square test). The early gainers tend to maintain significantly better visual outcome until last follow-up. The number of eyes with angiographically documented macular ischemia was significantly higher in group 2 (P < 0.001). In group 2, the decrease in central macular thickness was not accompanied by visual acuity improvement. CONCLUSION: Preoperative presence of macular ischemia can be useful in predicting the outcome of visual acuity after intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema due to BRVO. The early gainers who favorably responded to the initial intravitreal bevacizumab injection are most likely to benefit from the bevacizumab treatment.     

Intravitreal bevacizumab treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To describe the short-term anatomical and visual acuity responses after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with CNV secondary to AMD who were treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg) during a 3-month period. Patients underwent best-corrected Snellen visual acuity testing, optical coherence tomography, and ophthalmoscopic examination at baseline and follow-up visits. RESULTS: There were 266 consecutive eyes of 266 patients who received injections, and follow-up information was available for 251 (94.4%). The mean age of the patients was 80.3 years, the mean baseline visual acuity was 20/184, and 175 (69.7%) had inadequate response to alternate methods of treatment. At the 1-month follow-up (data available for 244 patients), the mean visual acuity was 20/137 (P < 0.001 as compared with baseline), and 74 (30.3%) of patients had improvement in visual acuity as defined by a halving of the visual angle. At the 2-month follow-up (data available for 222 patients), the mean visual acuity was 20/122 (P < 0.001), and 78 (31.1%) of patients had visual improvement. At the 3-month follow-up (data available for 141 patients), the mean visual acuity was 20/109 (P < 0.001), and 54 (38.3%) of patients had visual acuity improvement. The mean central macular thickness at baseline was 340 mum and decreased to a mean of 247 microm at month 1 (P < 0.001) and 213 microm at month 3 (P < 0.001). At 1 month, two patients had mild vitritis, as did one patient at 2 months, who had a history of recurrent uveitis. No endophthalmitis, increased intraocular pressure, retinal tear, or retinal detachment occurred. The risk for thromboembolic disorders did not seem to be different than reported previously in studies concerning macular degeneration. CONCLUSION: There were no apparent short-term safety concerns for intravitreal bevacizumab injection for CNV. Treated eyes had a significant decrease in macular thickness and improvement in visual acuity. The follow-up was too short to make any specific treatment recommendations, but the favorable short-term results suggest further study is needed.     

Prospective comparisons of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide and bevacizumab for macular oedema due to branch retinal vein occlusion

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and that of bevacizumab for macular oedema because of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Design: Prospective, comparative, randomized, interventional clinical trial. Methods: Forty‐three eyes of 43 patients with macular oedema because of BRVO were randomly assigned to 4‐mg intravitreal injections of TA (IVTA)(21 patients, IVTA group) or 1.25‐mg intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (IVB) (22 patients, IVB group) and followed for 12 months. No additional treatments were administered for 3 months after the initial injection; additional injections were administered when macular oedema recurred between 3 and 12 months after the initial injection. The best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured at baseline and monthly. The main outcome measures were changes in the logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution BCVA and CRT from baseline to 12 months. Results: Eighteen eyes of 18 patients in the IVTA group and 18 eyes of 18 patients in the IVB group completed follow‐up at 12 months. The mean improvements in BCVA from baseline to 12 months were 0.12 in the IVTA group and 0.33 in the IVB group, which was significantly (p = 0.032) higher than in the IVTA group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the mean reduction in CRT from baseline to 12 months after the initial injection. Two eyes in the IVTA group required intraocular pressure–lowering medications. Conclusion: Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab may be of greater benefit than that of TA for macular oedema because of BRVO.     

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.     

Short-term safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech Inc.) for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on consented patients with neovascular ARMD receiving intravitreal bevacizumab therapy. All patients received intravitreal bevacizumab at baseline with additional monthly injections given at the discretion of the treating physician. At each visit, a routine Snellen visual acuity assessment was performed followed by an ophthalmic examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. RESULTS: Fifty-three eyes of 50 patients received an intravitreal bevacizumab injection between May and August 2005. Including the month 3 visit, the average number of injections was 2.3 out of a maximum of 4 injections. No serious drug-related ocular or systemic adverse events were identified. Improvements in visual acuity and central retinal thickness measurements were evident by week 1 and continued through month 3. At month 3, the mean visual acuity improved from 20/160 to 20/125 (P < 0.001) and the mean central retinal thickness decreased by 99.6 microm (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Off-label intravitreal bevacizumab therapy for neovascular ARMD was well tolerated over 3 months with improvements in visual acuity and OCT central retinal thickness measurements. While the long-term safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab remain unknown, these short-term results suggest that intravitreal bevacizumab may be the most cost effective therapy for the treatment of neovascular ARMD.     

Ranibizumab for treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To evaluate the short-term outcomes after intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis; Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA) injection in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: A review of data for consecutive patients who received intravitreal ranibizumab injection was conducted. The main outcome measures were mean visual acuity and central macular thickness at 3 months compared with those at baseline. Response to ranibizumab therapy was evaluated with particular attention to prior treatment with bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, Inc.). RESULTS: Mean baseline visual acuity of 231 eyes of 231 patients was 20/152, and 189 patients (81.8%) had undergone prior treatment, with 153 (65.4%) having received intravitreal bevacizumab. Mean visual acuity at 3 months, available for 203 patients (88%), was 20/126 (P = 0.004). Mean visual acuity for 98 patients treated with bevacizumab within 3 months before ranibizumab injection was 20/100 at baseline and 20/98 at 3 months (P = 0.35). Mean baseline central macular thickness was 278 microm for all patients and improved to 211 microm at 3 months (P < 0.001). Macular thickness decrease was noted irrespective of previous bevacizumab therapy. CONCLUSION: Ranibizumab therapy was associated with significant improvements in mean visual acuity and central macular thickness for the group of all patients. Patients who had received bevacizumab treatment within 3 months before initiating ranibizumab treatment had stability of, but no improvement in, visual acuity.