Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Therapy for Vascularized Pigment Epithelium Detachment in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Issue 3 (May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giansanti, Fabrizio; Bacherini, Daniela; Giacomelli, Giovanni; Virgili, Gianni; Finocchio, Lucia; Fiore, Tito; Vannozzi, Lorenzo; Menchini, Ugo
• Is Part Of: European journal of ophthalmology. Volume 24:Issue 3(2014)
• Page Start: 402
• Page End: 408
• Publication Date: 2014-05
• Subjects: Age-related macular degeneration -- Bevacizumab -- Pigment epithelium detachment -- Ranibizumab; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; Eye -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 617.7005
• DOI: 10.5301/ejo.5000388
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1120-6721

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of intravitreal anti—vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment of vascularized pigment epithelial detachment (PED) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: A total of 26 patients with vascularized PED secondary to AMD were retrospectively analyzed and treated with anti-VEGF intravitreal injections according to a PRN regimen after 3 initial injections. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiography were performed at baseline and quarterly. Results: Mean follow-up ranged from 9 to 26 months (mean 13.5). There was a deterioration in mean BCVA from 0.46 at baseline to 0.79 logMAR at 12 months (p<0.001). The mean PED greatest linear diameter (GLD) increased from 4499 at baseline to 5206 μm at 1-year follow-up (p<0.001). The mean PED maximum height decreased from 669 μm at baseline to 305 μm at 1-year follow-up (p = 0.001). The mean central retinal thickness (CRT) was unchanged (from 277 to 209 μm at 1 year follow-up) (p = 0.099). No effect was seen on the change of VA according to groups of baseline predictors as defined by the medial value: baseline VA, PED height, and CRT (p>0.10). There was a borderline trend (p = 0.064) that GLD affected response to treatment. The mean number of injections was 5.5 (3 to 9). Seven out of 26 (27%) patients developed a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tear. Conclusions: Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy, with a PRN regimen, did not prevent visual acuity loss or RPE tear.