Original Paper

Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) for Choroidal Neovascularization in Angioid Streaks: A Case Series
M. Carla Donati, Gianni Virgili, Alessandro Bini, Fabrizio Giansanti, Emilio Rapizzi, Giovanni Giacomelli, Ugo Menchini

Department of Oto-Neuro-Ophthalmological Surgical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmologica 2009;223:24-27 (DOI: 10.1159/000161879)

  Key Words

• Angioid streaks
• Bevacizumab
• Choroidal neovascularization
• Intravitreal injection

  Abstract

Background: Intravitreal (IV) bevacizumab (Avastin®, Roche), initially used for the off-label treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), has extended itself to treat various ocular pathologies such as choroidal neovascularization not associated to AMD. Methods: IV bevacizumab 1,25 mg (Avastin) was used in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in 6 eyes of 5 patients with angioid streaks. All cases had a history of photodynamic treatment (PDT) or laser treatment and all showed progressive worsening despite the use of these therapies. Results: After injection patients were followed up at nearly 2-month intervals. IV Avastin was repeated in case of recurrence. Three eyes were treated combining PDT and IV Avastin. Cases were followed up for 7-14 months. All patients needed more IV injections. Five out of 6 eyes showed an improvement of BCVA and a slight reduction of leakage and size with FA. Conclusion: This small series suggests that IV Avastin might be useful in the treatment of CNV due to AS.

Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Alessandro Bini, MD
Università degli Studi di Firenze, Careggi University Hospital
Viale Morgagni 85
IT-50134 Firenze (Italy)
Tel. +39 055 411 765, Fax +39 055 437 7749, E-Mail albin75po@yahoo.it

  Article Information

Presented as a poster at the ARVO meeting, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on May 6, 2007. Approval for the study was obtained from the University of Florence institutional ethics committee on November 15, 2005.

Received: September 20, 2007
Accepted after revision: February 13, 2008
Published online: October 13, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 12