Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) injection in retinitis pigmentosa

Curr Eye Res. 2009 Mar;34(3):231-7. doi: 10.1080/02713680802710692.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate and report the effectiveness, visual, anatomical, and clinical outcome of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) injection in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods: Our prospective study included 13 eyes of 7 patients (4 women and 3 men) in the age range of 25-69 years (mean 44.14 years) with cystoid macular edema (CME) secondary to RP. Intravitreal bevacizumab at a dose of 1.25 mg/0.05 ml was injected via a 28-gauge needle. The response rate to treatment was monitored functionally by visual acuity assessment and anatomically using the optical coherence tomography.

Results: The baseline mean central macular thickness was 370.15 microm (range 245-603 microm. The central macular thickness decreased to 142.53 microm (range 124-168 microm) after bevacizumab injections. The pre- and post-treatment visual acuity ranges were 5/400-20/100 and 20/200-20/63, respectively.

Conclusions: Our data reveal that intravitreal bevacizumab administration is effective for the treatment of CME in RP. Further studies with a larger population and longer follow-up period are warranted to assess the efficacy of the treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Bevacizumab
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Humans
  • Injections
  • Macula Lutea / pathology
  • Macular Edema / drug therapy*
  • Macular Edema / etiology
  • Macular Edema / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa / complications
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa / drug therapy*
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa / physiopathology
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Visual Acuity / physiology
  • Vitreous Body

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Bevacizumab