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Bevacizumab (Avastin) treatment in patients with retinal angiomatous proliferation

  • Clinical Investigation
  • Published:
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aim

To determine the anatomical and functional outcome after injection of bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) in eyes with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP).

Design

Prospective interventional case series.

Methods

Sixteen eyes of 16 consecutive patients with visual loss due to RAP underwent intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg (0.05 ml) bevacizumab. Best corrected visual acuity testing, fluorescein and ICG-angiography as well as OCT imaging were performed at baseline and at each follow-up visit within a 3-month period.

Results

Mean visual acuity pre-injection was 0.68 ± 0.36 logMAR (n = 16), mean reading ability 0.58 ± 0.26 logRAD (n = 11). Far vision increased significantly by a mean of 1.7 ± 2 lines 4 weeks after the injection (p = 0.004), as did reading (0.6 ± 2.3 lines, p > 0.05). Both remained stable up to 3 months. Central retinal thickness decreased from 367 ± 112 μm (mean±SD) to 272 ± 123 μm 3 months after injection (p = 0.006). Leakage decreased angiographically in 12 eyes (75%) and remained stable in four eyes (25%). Re-injection of bevacizumab within the 3-month follow-up period was performed once in eight eyes, and twice in one eye. No adverse events were observed.

Conclusion

Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) resulted in a reduction of leakage, intra- and subretinal fluid. An increase in visual acuity was seen already 4 weeks after first injection. However, a complete occlusion of feeder vessels could not be achieved within this 3-month period. Randomized clinical trials would be required to evaluate dose and frequency of injections and possible beneficial effects of combination therapies, as well as the long-term results.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Beate Prinz and Erica Menrath for expert technical assistance. PD Dr. K. Lucke, Bremen supplied data from two of his patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Vitreoretinal Surgery, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Sandra Joeres, Florian M. A. Heussen & Antonia M. Joussen

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Unviversity of Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany

    Florian M. A. Heussen & Antonia M. Joussen

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, Tagesklinik Universitaetsallee, Bremen, Germany

    Tobias Treziak & Silvia Bopp

Authors
  1. Sandra Joeres
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  2. Florian M. A. Heussen
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  3. Tobias Treziak
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  4. Silvia Bopp
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  5. Antonia M. Joussen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antonia M. Joussen.

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Joeres, S., Heussen, F.M.A., Treziak, T. et al. Bevacizumab (Avastin) treatment in patients with retinal angiomatous proliferation. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 245, 1597–1602 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-007-0580-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-007-0580-y

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