Purpose: To asses the anatomical and functional results after intravitreal bevacizumab administration in choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia; To asses the safety and results stability;
Methods: Prospective, interventional case study of 18 eyes with choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia treated with 1.25 mg. intravitreal bevacizumab (AVASTIN). Intravitreal injection was repeated, if needed, at 4-6 weeks until leakage stopped. In all cases fluorescein angiograms and Spectral 3D OCTs were performed. Visual acuity was measured with ETDRS optotype. Cases were followed-up at least 6 months. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Wilcoxon tests.
Results: Mean age of patients in the study was 43.86%--6.32 years (ranging 24-62 years). The mean number of intravitreal injections was 2.62%--0.53 (ranging between 1 - 4 injections). Mean visual acuity improved in all cases. An increase of more than 15 letters was noted in 44.44.% of the cases. OCT confirmed a reduced depth of lesion and also a reduced lesion volume after treatment. No major local or systemic side-effects were noted. At 6 months follow-up the choroidal neovascularization reappeared in 5 cases (27.77%) requiring additional treatment.
Conclusions: These results confirm the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab in controlling the choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia. More than 40% of the cases regained at least 3 lines in ETDRS chart but a recurrence was noted in 27.77% of the cases at 6 months.