THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTRAVITREAL INJECTION OF BEVACIZUMAB IN NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.

Abstract

                The research objective is to assess the effectiveness and safety of intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab in neovascular agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) at the Vietnam National Institute of Ophthalmology (VNIO) during the period from 2012-2014.

The research was conducted by the method of a prospective study on 100 eyes with AMD treated by intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab at 1.25 mg/0.05 ml based on pro-nata regimen (PRN). Patients were monitored for visual acuity (VA), fundus examination, measuring central retinal thickness on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and fluorescence angiography at baseline and the follow-up visits. Re-injection indication was based on clinical and paraclinical signs. Data was analyzed at the baseline, 6 months, 12 months and the last visit. Anatomical outcome showed that central retinal thickness (CRT) was 264.83±125.35 ìm, 252.37±128 ìm and 249.3±126.24 ìm at the 6, 12 months

and the last visit respectively. There was a statistically significant difference compared with central retinal thickness at baseline. In term of functional outcome, the mean VA (LogMar) was 0.994±0.49, 0.98±0.49, and 0.97±0.48 at 6, 12 months and the last visit respectively; the difference was statistically significant compared with the mean VA at the baseline. The average number of injections was 3.92±2.22. In conclusion, the intravitreal injection of Bevacizuamb for treatment of neovascular AMD based on PRN improved both anatomical and functional outcome during the follow-up time.