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Br J Ophthalmol 2009;93:155-158 doi:10.1136/bjo.2008.145896
  • Original Article
    • Clinical science

Long-term control of choroidal neovascularisation secondary to angioid streaks treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin)

  1. P Neri1,
  2. S Salvolini1,2,
  3. C Mariotti1,2,
  4. L Mercanti1,
  5. S Celani1,
  6. A Giovannini1,2
  1. 1
    Eye Clinic—Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I-GM Lancisi-G Salesi, Ancona, Italy
  2. 2
    Neuroscience Department—Ophthalmology Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
  1. Mr P Neri, The Eye Clinic—Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I-GM Lancisi-G. Salesi Via Conca 71, 60020, Torrette-Ancona, Italy; doctor_blacks{at}hotmail.com
  • Accepted 6 October 2008
  • Published Online First 29 October 2008

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (IB) in the long-term control of subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) associated with angioid streaks (AS).

Methods: Patients with unilateral active CNV associated with AS were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were previous treatment for CNV and comorbidity. Postoperative visual acuity was defined as a gain or loss of two or more lines of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Post-treatment CNV size was dichotomised into “increased,” if the CNV area had grown by ≥200 μm2, and “stable/reduced” if it had decreased by ≥200 μm2 or had not changed by more than 200 μm2. Patients were retreated if no further improvement or worsening was noted.

Results: Patients were five males and six females aged 33 to 58 years (mean 46.8 (SD 9.2)), who received a mean number of 3.5 (1.3) IB treatments (min: 2; max: 6). The mean retreatment interval was 3 (1.5) months (min: 1; max: 6). The mean follow-up duration was 23.8 (2.9) months. At 20 months all patients had stable/reduced CNV size and stable/improved BCVA. The mean BCVA rose significantly from 0.28 (0.2) at baseline to 0.56 (0.29) at 20 months (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: IB is a promising tool for the long-term control of CNV in AS. Further studies are required to validate these findings.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Ethics approval: thics approval was provided by the Ethics Committee of the Ospedali Riuniti of Ancona.

  • Patient consent: Obtained.

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