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Br J Ophthalmol 2008;92:1035-1039 doi:10.1136/bjo.2007.130260
  • Original Article
    • Clinical science

Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) for choroidal neovascularisation secondary to pathological myopia: 6-month results

  1. L Arias1,2,
  2. N Planas1,
  3. S Prades1,
  4. J M Caminal1,
  5. M Rubio1,
  6. O Pujol1,
  7. G Roca1
  1. 1
    Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
  2. 2
    Institut Oftalmologic de Barcelona, USP Hospitals, Barcelona, Spain
  1. Dr L Arias, Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, C/Feixa Llarga, sn, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; luisarias{at}telefonica.net
  • Accepted 4 March 2008

Abstract

Background: To determine the efficacy and safety of intravitreal Avastin (bevacizumab) in the treatment of choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to pathological myopia (PM).

Methods: This paper reports on a consecutive prospective study of patients with CNV secondary to PM who were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml). Patients underwent complete ophthalmic evaluation, which included best-corrected visual acuity testing measured with Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study charts, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography.

Results: There were 17 eyes of 17 patients, and the mean age was 55.4 (SD 10.0) years. At the 6-month follow-up, the mean visual acuity improved by 8.4 letters (p = 0.04). Forty-one per cent of patients increased at least one line, and 17% increased more than six lines. There were no cases of moderate vision loss (≥3 lines) or severe vision loss (≥6 lines). The mean OCT foveal thickness decreased by 79.6 μm (p = 0.002). Favourable outcomes were obtained in all subgroups. Patients received an average of one injection. As a complication, there was a tear of the retinal pigment epithelium. No other ocular or systemic side effects were observed.

Conclusion: In our study, intravitreal bevacizumab appeared to be safe and efficacious in eyes with CNV secondary to PM.

Footnotes

  • See Editorial, p 1011

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Ethics approval: The institutional review board of the hospital approved this study.

  • Patient consent: Obtained.

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