Intravitreal Bevacizumab for Choroidal Neovascularization Associated with Angioid Streaks: Long-term Results.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to angioid streaks (AS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Noncomparative, interventional retrospective case series involving ten patients (15 eyes) with a minimum follow-up of 25 months following IVB for AS-associated CNV. Demographic and clinical details at baseline and during follow-up were collected from patient records. Detailed clinical examination was followed by fundus fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography to confirm CNV. Both primary and recurrent CNVs were treated with monthly injections of IVB till the lesion stabilized. Primary outcome measures were the percentage of patients with stable or improved visual acuity (VA) and with stable or decreased central retinal thickness (CRT) at the last visit. Secondary outcome measure was the incidence of ocular and systemic complications. RESULTS: Recurrence was observed in 11 eyes (73.33%) over a mean follow-up of 57.33 months (range: 25-100). A mean number of injections administered was 5.60. VA improved or stabilized in 73.33% and deteriorated in 26.67% of eyes at the final visit. Mean CRT improved from 324.40 µm at baseline to 265.53 µm at final visit, which was statistically significant. Complications observed were ocular hypertension in one patient and thromboembolic event in another patient. CONCLUSIONS: IVB appears to be a safe and effective option to treat CNV and to preserve vision over a prolonged period. It cannot eliminate the risk of recurrent CNV indicating the need for more effective treatments to arrest this visually debilitating condition.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factors for choroidal neovascularization secondary to choroidal osteoma: Long-term results.

Choroidal osteoma is an uncommon benign osseous intraocular tumor typically seen unilaterally in young women. Visual loss can occur due to choroidal neovascularization (CNV) complicating osteoma. We report a rare case of bilateral choroidal osteoma with secondary CNV in a young male and the long-term results following anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. A 30-year-old male with history of defective vision in both eyes since several years and recent worsening in the right eye (RE) since 2 months was found to have bilateral macular osteoma with CNV in the RE based on clinical evaluation, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and ultrasonography. Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab at monthly intervals for three doses resulted in resolution of CNV and remained stable for 5 years. Recurrent CNV detected 6 years later responded to an injection of intravitreal bevacizumab and has remained stable till date. Anti-VEGF therapy stabilized the secondary CNV in our patient for 7 years with satisfactory structural and functional outcome, demonstrating the long-term efficacy of this modality of treatment.

Hang-back recession of inferior oblique muscle in V-pattern strabismus with inferior oblique overaction.

INTRODUCTION: Although hang-back recession has widely been used as a weakening procedure on extraocular muscles, its effectiveness has mostly been studied for rectus muscles. We report a surgical technique for recessing the inferior oblique muscle and evaluate its effectiveness in V-pattern strabismus with inferior oblique overaction (IOOA). METHODS: Fifteen patients with V-pattern strabismus and IOOA, 7 with V exotropia, and 8 with V esotropia underwent hang-back recession of inferior oblique muscle in addition to horizontal muscle surgery when required. The surgical technique consisted of free suspension of one or both inferior oblique muscles 10 mm along their physiological path using 6-0 polyglactin 910 sutures bridging the cut ends of muscle. RESULTS: The mean preoperative V pattern in the V-exotropia group was 22(Delta) +/- 6(Delta) and 25(Delta) +/- 7(Delta) in V-esotropia group. The mean correction of V pattern after a mean follow-up period of 8 +/- 1 months was 19(Delta) +/- 2(Delta) for the V-exotropia group and 22(Delta) +/- 7(Delta) months for the V-esotropia group. Mean correction of IOOA in the V-exotropia group was 18(Delta) +/- 5(Delta); in the V-esotropia group, mean correction was 20(Delta) +/- 6(Delta) in the right eye and 18(Delta) +/- 2(Delta) in the left eye. CONCLUSIONS: Hang-back recession of inferior oblique is another surgical procedure for correction of both V pattern and IOOA in V-pattern strabismus.