ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept injections for the treatment of patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with pathologic myopia. METHODS: In this uncontrolled, prospective cohort study, 31 eyes of 30 consecutive patients affected by CNV associated with pathologic myopia were treated with intravitreal aflibercept (2 mg) as needed following two initial monthly doses and observed over a 12-month follow-up period. The primary endpoint was change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at month 12, while central retinal thickness (CRT) on optical coherence tomography (OCT), neovascularization activity on fluorescein angiography, the number of aflibercept injections administered, and safety were examined as secondary endpoints. RESULTS: Patients received a mean of 2.6 intravitreal aflibercept injections over the 12-month study period. Compared with baseline, BCVA improved significantly at all time points (P<0.05). Mean (standard deviation [SD]) decimal BCVA was 0.2 (0.1) at baseline and 0.35 (0.16) at month 12. The greatest improvement in BCVA was seen within the first 2 months (P=0.01). Mean (SD) CRT on OCT decreased from 285 (62) µm at baseline to 227 (42) µm (P=0.01) at month 12. There was a continuous decrease in mean CRT on OCT over time. No cases of endophthalmitis, uveitis, stroke, or retinal detachment were noted. No patient demonstrated an intraocular pressure >20 mmHg during any study visit. CONCLUSION: The 12-month results of intravitreal aflibercept for myopic CNV using an as-needed regimen were positive, showing benefits in visual and anatomic outcomes and an acceptable tolerability profile.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: It was the aim of this study to determine the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab as treatment of choroidal neovascularizations associated with pathologic myopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an uncontrolled, prospective time series cohort study, 65 eyes of 64 consecutive patients with choroidal neovascularization associated with pathologic myopia were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab and observed over 12 months. The change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 6 and 12 months served as primary end point. Safety, central retinal thickness, neovascularization activity on fluorescein angiography and the number of ranibizumab injections were secondary end points. RESULTS: BCVA improved significantly throughout the follow-up (p = 0.001). The mean BCVA was 0.2 at baseline (SD 0.13) and 0.4 at 12 months (SD 0.21). Improvement was strongest within the first 3 months (p = 0.0001). The mean central retinal thickness showed a reduction from 313 µm (SD 82) to 243.5 µm (SD 31; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal ranibizumab offers a safe and effective treatment for choroidal neovascularizations in pathologic myopia.
