Article
Intravitreal anti-VEGF-therapy in myopic CNV – Overview of literature and own experiences
Search Medline for
Authors
Published: | June 29, 2009 |
---|
Outline
Text
Background: A choroidal neovaskularisation (CNV) is a complication of high myopia affecting visual function. The only approved therapy is photodynamic therapy (PDT) for which a stabilisation of visual function was proven. The efficacy of intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF has been shown in multiple trials for treatment of choroidal neovascularisations associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This treatment has been also used in CNV due to myopia. In investigations conducted so far improvement of visual function was reported.
Methods: Current literature will be presented in summary. Additional we will report own experiences in clinical therapy (treatments between July 2002 and march 2009). 16 eyes have been treated with sole intravitreal injection of bevacizumab and/or ranibizumab, another 18 eyes were treated with additional PDT simultaneously.
Results: Regarding the 16 eyes treated only with injections in 4 eyes an improvement of visual function was observed, 10 eyes were functionally stable and 9 eyes needed retreatment. In 6 of 18 eyes treated with combining therapy an improvement of visual acuity of more than one row was documented, in 12 eyes visual function was stable. 2 of these eyes had to be treated again with combining therapy, another 4 only with intravitreal injections.
Conclusions: Intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF are an effective possibility of treatment for CNV due to myopia. The experiences so far show positive results regarding anatomy and function. Thus this therapy should be also considered as first line therapy regarding possible improvement of visual function.