INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION IN PSEUDOXANTHOMA ELASTICUM

Abstract

In Brief Purpose: To determine the results of intravitreal bevacizumab injections for the management of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE)–associated angioid streaks. Methods: A consecutive series of patients with PXE and CNV were managed with intravitreal bevacizumab injection (1.25 mg per 0.05 cc). The main outcome measures were visual acuity and greatest lesion height as measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results: Nine eyes of nine consecutive patients received intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) injections. The mean follow-up time was 6 months, during which eyes received an average of 1.8 injections. The baseline visual acuity was a mean of 20/368 and improved to 20/289 at the last visit (P = 0.056). Visual acuity either improved or stabilized in all 9 eyes (100%). Serial OCT measurements in 8 eyes showed a mean of 353 μm at baseline, which decreased to 201 μm at the last visit (P = 0.012). No complications were noted. Conclusions: These short-term results support the use of intravitreal bevacizumab for the management of CNV in patients with PXE. Continued experience with intravitreal bevacizumab in this population will help establish its longer-term efficacy and better define the potential need for serial injections to maintain these results. Intravitreal bevacizumab stabilized, or improved, visual acuity in patients with PXE associated angioid streaks complicated by choroidal neovascularization. Bevacizumab therapy was employed without complication and led to a significant decrease in lesion thickness as measured with OCT.