Intravitreal bevacizumab as primary local treatment for choroidal neovascularization secondary to uveitis

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To report short term results of intravitreal (IVT) bevacizumab as primary local treatment for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to uveitis. Methods Files of uveitic patients receiving one or more 1.25mg/0,05ml IVT bevacizumab treatment for CNV were reviewed for clinical findings,best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT),concurrent treatments, number and frequency of IVT bevacizumab and treatment related adverse events. Patients previosuly treated with any local therapy were excluded. Results 15 patients included. Underlying diagnosis:multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis in 7, ampiginous choroiditis in 2, and for 6 remaining, serpiginous choroiditis, sympathetic ophthalmia, Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada syndrome, punctuate inner choroidopathy, tuberculous uveitis and idiopathic inflammation respectively. Subfoveal neovascularization in 13 eyes, peripapillary in 2. No active intraocular inflammation by time injections were given. 86,66% had a significant decrease in central foveal thickness by the end of follow‐up (mean pre‐treatment OCT 239,06µm, mean post‐treatment OCT 195,2µm). BCVA improved in 80% of eyes at last follow‐up (mean pre‐treatment BCVA logMar 0,53; mean post‐treatment BCVA logMar 0,29). 12 eyes received more than one IVT bevacizumab, mean number of injections in this group was 4,25(2‐8), with a frequency of 1 injection every 13,68 weeks. No adverse effect related to bevacizumab nor to the injection procedure. Median follow‐up 15,93(2‐25 months). Conclusion IVT bevacizumab was safe and effective first local treatment for inflammatory CNV, in patients under adequate control of intraocular inflammation.