Result of Photodynamic Therapy for Idiopathic Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization

Optical coherence tomography characteristics of responses to intravitreal bevacizumab in idiopathic choroidal neovascularization

AIM

To investigate factors associated with responses to intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in naive idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (iCNV) by high domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed clinical data of 40 eyes of iCNV patients who received a single or multiple IVB on an as-needed basis (1.25 mg/0.05 mL). One month after the first injection, subretinal fluid (SRF) volume was evaluated and the eyes were divided into 3 groups based on responses to IVB. Good, moderate, and poor responses were defined as 61%-99%, 30%-60%, and <30% resolution of SRF on OCT after IVB in iCNV, respectively. OCT findings were analyzed to find factors associated with difference in response levels. Comparisons were made using Wilcoxon's matched-pairs signed-rank test, the Mann-Whitney U test for means with continuous data and Fisher's exact test for categorical data.

RESULTS

The mean number of IVB was 1.28±1.50 and mean follow up time was 3.60±1.20mo. At postoperative 1mo, there were 8 (20%) eyes in good response, 20 (50%) in moderate response and 12 (30%) eyes in poor response group and at last visit there were 28 good responders (70%), 8 (20%) moderate responders and 4 (10%) poor responders. Statistically significant difference was detected between good responders and non good responders in choroidal neovessels thickness (P=0.029), SRF height (P=0.049) and SRF volume (P=0.031) at post treatment 1mo.

CONCLUSION

OCT is a valuable diagnostic tool. Decrease in choroidal neovessels thickness, SRF height and volume predicts favorable response of iCNV to IVB therapy.

Clinical efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab in early and mid-idiopathic choroidal neovascularization

Background. To compare visual outcomes and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography results following intravitreal ranibizumab treatment for early and mid-idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (ICNV). Methods. This retrospective, case-controlled study examined 44 patients with ICNV in one eye initially treated with intravitreal ranibizumab (0.5 mg). Further intravitreal treatments were administered as necessary. Patients were divided into two groups according to disease duration, that is, ≤3 months or 3–6 months (early and mid-groups), and the data were compared. Results. All patients completed at least 12 months of follow-up. Significant differences were observed between the groups in best-corrected visual acuity and in central macular thickness (CMT) reduction at all five follow-up visits. At the last follow-up (12 months), 19 early group eyes (79.1%) and 10 mid group eyes (50.0%) had statistically significant visual gains of >15 early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) letters (χ² = 4.130, P = 0.042). The mean number of injections was significantly higher  (P = 0.0001) in the mid group (2.53 ± 1.76) than in the early group (1.22 ± 1.01). Conclusions. Early intravitreal ranibizumab for ICNV can result in better visual prognoses, more obvious decreases in CMT, and fewer injections.

Functional recovery after intravitreal bevacizumab treatments for idiopathic choroidal neovascularization in young adults

PURPOSE

To evaluate the morphology and functional recovery of the retina after treatment of idiopathic choroidal neovascularization using intravitreal injections of bevacizumab in young adults.

METHODS

For this interventional case series, 20 eyes of 19 patients with idiopathic choroidal neovascularization were treated with multiple intravitreal injections of bevacizumab. Changes in best-corrected visual acuity before the treatment and at follow-up visits were recorded. Structural changes were evaluated using optical coherence tomography and functional changes were assessed using microperimetry.

RESULTS

Twenty eyes were followed for 12 months after their first injection. The eyes underwent an average of 3.95 injections. All eyes had a stable or an improved vision. The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.43 to 0.06 (Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, P < 0.005). Improvement in macular function was detected as early as 1 month after the treatment and lasted for at least 6 months. Microperimetry demonstrated that mean retinal sensitivities within the central 10° field (10.29 ± 5.12 dB) at baseline improved to 13.98 ± 3.96 dB at the last visit. Dense scotomas were found in 13 of the 20 eyes at baseline and 5 of the 20 eyes at the last visit. Stable fixation (6 of 20 at baseline) was found in 17 of the 20 eyes at the last visit. Twelve of the 14 eyes with either a predominantly eccentric or poor central fixation at baseline established central fixation at 12 months. No serious local or systemic complications were encountered.

CONCLUSION

In young adults with idiopathic choroidal neovascularization, an improvement in visual acuity and macular function was detected after intravitreal injections of bevacizumab.

Serous retinal detachment following combined photodynamic therapy and intravitreal bevacizumab injection

We report a case of serous retinal detachment following combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal bevacizumab injection in subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

A 53-year-old woman was diagnosed with subfoveal CNV secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and treated with combined PDT and intravitreal bevacizumab injection. One day after treatment, the patient experienced a sudden decline of vision and optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed serous retinal detachment involving the macula. She was managed conservatively with an oral steroid beginning on the second day of the combined treatment and the subretinal fluid started to decrease one week following the initiation of steroids.

This case suggests that combined PDT and intravitreal injection of bevacizumab can be associated with serous retinal detachment. Additional studies are needed to establish the safety and complications following this treatment regimen.

Photodynamic therapy of idiopathic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in Taiwanese patients: a 2-year follow-up

AIMS

To study the efficacy of verteporfin photodynamic therapy (VPDT) retrospectively in the treatment of idiopathic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (ICNV) in an Asian population in correlation with number of treatments and age at treatment. This is the first report to compare the efficacy between single and multiple treatments.

METHODS

VPDT was administered according to protocol to 45 eyes in 45 patients aged 18-55 years diagnosed with active subfoveal ICNV between September 2003 and December 2005. In total 28 patients received a single VPDT treatment and the remaining 17 received multiple treatments. Collected measurements of visual acuity (VA) were plotted on a time-course model, and later dichotomized by age (18-45 vs 46-55 years).

RESULTS

The 28 patients receiving a single VPDT treatment showed significant improvement in VA at 3-month follow-up. The 17 patients, who did not show improvement after the first treatment, received multiple VPDT treatments. Those patients showed an even clearer trend in VA improvement although significance was detected only at the 24th month. All patients showed a significant improvement in mean VA of 0.46 logMAR (P<0.01 compared to baseline) by the end of the 24-month observation period, although VPDT treatment for subfoveal ICNV appears to stabilize vision more rapidly in younger patients.

CONCLUSIONS

ICNV patients who did not benefit from single VPDT treatments could receive multiple treatments, and showed a more significant improvement in visual acuity. These results are the first of their kind in ICNV treatment.