ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To analyse short term visual outcomes and macular morphologic changes associated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin) therapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) METHOD: Retrospective study of 59 eyes. Each included eye received 3 intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg bevacizumab at 4 to 6-week intervals. Mean follow-up was 5.5 months (range 3 to 9). Best-corrected visual acuity, ophthalmoscopic examination, optic coherence tomography and fluorescein or green indocyanin angiography were performed before and routinely after the treatment. RESULTS: A total of 160 injections were performed with a mean value of 2.7 (1-6) per eye. Visual acuity improved at least two lines in 17% (10 eyes), worsened at least two lines in 14% (8 eyes) and was stabilized in 69% (41 eyes). Among that last group of 41 eyes, a significative reduction of macular thickness was observed in more than 39% (12 eyes) and a subjective improvement with less metamorphopsia and better visual comfort was noticed in 24% (10 eyes). No intraocular or systemic adverse effects were observed except a self-limited iritis in two cases. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab therapy resulted in visual and morphologic improvements in a significant number of cases of advanced AMD with CNV. Randomized studies and longer follow-up are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Subject(s)
Angiogenesis Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage , Macular Degeneration/drug therapy , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Bevacizumab , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Injections , Treatment Outcome , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
The authors report a case of unilateral chronic epiphora resistant to prolonged topical antibiotic treatment in a 62-year-old woman. Culture yielded some colonies of Actinomyces species. A dacryocystorhinostomy was found to be ineffective. Canaliculotomy with removal of cast resolved the chronic canaliculitis. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of solid cast of Actinomyces.
