Efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Abstract

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the short-term efficacy of intravitreal injections of bevacizumab for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Methods: Intravitreal bevacizumab (1 mg) was injected into 11 eyes of 11 patients with PCV in this retrospective, interventional case series. The main outcome measure was the change in the polypoidal vessels on indocyanine green angiography (IA) 3 months after injection. The foveal height determined by optical coherence tomography and the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) also were evaluated before and after treatment.

Results: At baseline, subretinal fluid was observed in five eyes and a pigment epithelial detachment in eight eyes. The foveal height 1 month after injection decreased significantly (p = 0.023), but at 3 months, no significant decrease was observed, although an additional injection was administrated in five of 11 eyes. The IA at 3 months showed resolution of polyps in one eye but residual or enlarged lesions in the other ten eyes. The BCVA did not improve significantly, although the subjects had relatively good BCVA at baseline (mean 0.45).

Conclusion: Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab may reduce the fluid from PCV but seems to be ineffective for diminishing its choroidal vascular changes.