Effects of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) therapy on retrobulbar blood flow parameters in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

BACKGROUND

To investigate the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab on retrobulbar circulation in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

METHOD

Thirty patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration were assessed prospectively by both color Doppler imaging and fundus fluorescein angiography. Spectral Doppler analysis allowed the measurement of the maximum velocity (Vmax) and minimum velocity (Vmin) of the central retinal vein (CRV), and peak systolic (PSV), end-diastolic (EDV) velocities of blood flows, and pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) values in the central retinal artery (CRA), nasal and temporal posterior ciliary arteries (NPCA, TPCA), and ophthalmic artery (OA). The t test for paired samples was used to compare retrobulbar blood flow values before and after intravitreal bevacizumab injection.

RESULT

PSV and EDV of the NPCA and PSV of the TPCA were significantly decreased after intravitreal bevacizumab injection (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the other parameters.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that intravitreal bevacizumab therapy has a measurable effect on retrobulbar blood flow.