Abstract:·AIM:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab(Avastin)injection in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration(AMD).·METHODS:The records of patients treated with intravitreal injection of 2.5mg bevacizumab for AMD were retrospectively reviewed.All patients were evaluated by complete ophthalmic examination,optical coherence tomography and fluorescein and/or indocyanine green angiography.Repeated treatment with intravitreous bevacizumab occurred if there were signs of persistent or recurrent exudation.Changes in best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA),central foveal thickness(CFT)and total macular volume(TMV)over at least 6 months were the main outcome measures.·RESULTS:Thirty eyes of 30 patients(21 males and 9 females)with the average of 72 years old were included.The mean baseline of BCVA,CFT and TMV were 1.03±0.55(logMAR),364.97±151.83μm and 8.36±1.84mm3,respectively.Although there was no significant decrease in mean CFT and TMV one week after the injection,the mean BCVA had significant improvement(logMAR,0.79±0.33;P=0.02).At the last visit of 9.7 months follow-up(data available for 30 eyes),BCVA(logMAR,0.70±0.40;P=0.004),CRT(272.93±81.06;P=0.05)and TMV(7.20±0.98;P=0.004)showed significant improve-ments over baseline values.BCVA was improved by at least two lines in 18 eyes(60%),remained stable in 8 eyes(27%)at the last visit.A total of 58 injections were performed and the average number of injections was 1.93 in the group.About 50% of re-injections gained at least two lines of vision improvement one week following the re-treatment.No serious ocular or systemic adverse events were observed.·CONCLUSION:Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for exudative AMD was well tolerated with an improvement in BCVA,CFT and TMV over the mean 9.7 months follow-up period.Re-injection of intravitreal bevacizumab should be administered if needed.·
