Intravitreal Ranibizumab for the Treatment of Choroidal Neovascularizations Associated with Pathologic Myopia: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Purpose: It was the aim of this study to determine the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab as treatment of choroidal neovascularizations associated with pathologic myopia. Materials and Methods: In an uncontrolled, prospective time series cohort study, 65 eyes of 64 consecutive patients with choroidal neovascularization associated with pathologic myopia were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab and observed over 12 months. The change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 6 and 12 months served as primary end point. Safety, central retinal thickness, neovascularization activity on fluorescein angiography and the number of ranibizumab injections were secondary end points. Results: BCVA improved significantly throughout the follow-up (p = 0.001). The mean BCVA was 0.2 at baseline (SD 0.13) and 0.4 at 12 months (SD 0.21). Improvement was strongest within the first 3 months (p = 0.0001). The mean central retinal thickness showed a reduction from 313 μm (SD 82) to 243.5 μm (SD 31; p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Intravitreal ranibizumab offers a safe and effective treatment for choroidal neovascularizations in pathologic myopia.