Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and active exudation or hemorrhage.
Methods: A prospective, single practice, open label trial of monthly intravitreal ranibizumab (0.5 mg) injections for PCV in 13 eyes of 13 patients who completed the 1-year study. The primary outcome measure was stabilization of vision (loss of <15 ETDRS letters). Secondary outcome measures included incidence of ocular and systemic adverse events, changes in subretinal hemorrhage, central foveal thickness, and polypoidal complexes on indocyanine green angiography at 1 year.
Results: No patient lost ≥ 15 letters in visual acuity at 1 year. Three patients (23%) gained ≥ 15 letters at 12 months. Subretinal hemorrhage resolved in 9/9 eyes (100%). Macular edema improved in 5/5 eyes (100%). Subretinal fluid completely resolved in 4/9 eyes (44%), decreased in 2/9 eyes (22%), and increased in 3/9 eyes (33%). Polypoidal complexes decreased in 5/13 eyes (38%).
Conclusion: Continuous monthly intravitreal ranibizumab decreases leakage and hemorrhage in eyes with exudative and hemorrhagic complications of PCV. Branching vascular networks persisted, and polypoidal complexes decreased in only 5/13 (38%) eyes with continuous antiangiogenic therapy at 1 year.