Intravitreal Bevacizumab for Nonsubfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization Associated With Angioid Streaks

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab injections in the treatment of nonsubfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with angioid streaks. DESIGN: Nonrandomized, interventional, prospective case series. METHODS: Fifteen patients (15 eyes) affected by juxtafoveal or extrafoveal CNV secondary to angioid streaks were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography (FA). The protocol treatment included a first injection, followed by repeated injections over a 12-month follow-up period on the basis of the detection of new hemorrhage on biomicroscopic examination, any type of fluid on OCT, or presence of leakage on FA. Primary outcome measures: Mean changes in BCVA and proportion of eyes gaining at least 10. letters (2 ETDRS lines) at the end of the follow-up. Secondary outcomes: Mean changes of central macular thickness (CMT) and extension to the fovea. RESULTS: Mean BCVA did not change throughout the follow-up period, being 0.2 +/- 0.2 logMAR at baseline and 0.2 +/- 0.3 logMAR at the 12-month examination. A functional improvement of at least 2 ETDRS lines was achieved by 5 eyes (33%), with 3 eyes (20%) gaining 3 lines. Mean CMT at baseline was 215 +/- 13 mu m and 225 +/- 85 mu m at the 12-month examination. Two eyes (13.3%) showed CNV extension to the fovea. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection can be a beneficial approach for the management of nonsubfoveal CNV secondary to angioid streaks over a 1-year follow-up. (C) 2014 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.