Intravitreal bevacizumab for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to angioid streaks: one year of follow-up

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab at one year follow-up, for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with angioid streaks. Methods: A retrospective case series of eighteen eyes of 17 patients with CNV secondary to angioid streaks treated with intravitreal bevacizumab between October 2006 and May 2008. Ophthalmic evaluation including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp biomicroscopic examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography, was performed before and after treatment. Retreatment was given every 4-6 weeks in case of persistent symptoms or CNV activity on OCT. Main outcome measures were changes in BCVA and central retinal thickness on OCT. Results: The mean number of injections was 4.8 at 1 year. Twelve eyes (66.6%) received five injections or more. The mean BCVA at baseline was 20/80 (range 20/400 to 20/32) and improved to 20/44 (range 20/160 to 20/20) at 1 year (p = 0.014). The BCVA improved by three or more lines in eleven eyes (61.11%) and remained within two lines of baseline in seven eyes (38.8%). Mean central retinal thickness was 404.2 mu m (range 160-602 mu m) at baseline and decreased to 300.5 mu m (range 150-523 mu m) at 1 year (p = 0.022). No ocular or systemic complications were noted. Conclusion: The 1-year outcomes suggest intravitreal bevacizumab to be a promising treatment for CNV associated with angioid streaks, resulting in both functional and anatomical improvements. Repeated injections are needed to maintain these results. Further long term studies are required to confirm these findings.