Abstract
Purpose
To identify fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) characteristics predicting responses to intravitreal bevacizumab therapy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Methods
Results of 113 consecutive patients (113 eyes) treated with intravitreal bevacizumab injections for neovascular AMD were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized into two groups according to visual acuity (VA) improvement 1 year after treatment: responders and nonresponders. Responders were defined as patients who achieved VA improvement ≥7 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters for occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and ≥11 ETDRS letters for classic CNV at month 12. N onresponders were defined as patients who did not meet the above VA improvement at month 12.
Results
Of the 113 eyes, 36 (31.9%) were categorized as responders and 77 (68.1%) as nonresponders. Nonresponders, compared with responders, had thicker subretinal tissue (SRT) (218.9 μm versus 180.9 μm, P = 0.040), and more frequent cystoid macular edema (CME) (42.9% versus 13.9%, P < 0.001).
Conclusion
Thick SRT and CME on OCT may be characteristic of nonresponders and may be helpful for tailoring treatment for neovascular AMD.
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Byun, Y.J., Lee, S.J. & Koh, H.J. Predictors of response after intravitreal bevacizumab injection for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Jpn J Ophthalmol 54, 571–577 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-010-0866-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-010-0866-1