Intravitreal bevacizumab as primary treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to punctate inner choroidopathy: results of a 1-year prospective trial.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab as primary treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to punctate inner choroidopathy.

METHODS

Twelve eyes of 12 patients with subfoveal or juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to punctate inner choroidopathy received intravitreal bevacizumab injection (1.25 mg) in this prospective case series. Injection was repeated if persistent or recurrent activity of choroidal neovascularization was indicated by optical coherence tomography or fundus fluorescein angiography at 1-month intervals. Visual, clinical, angiographic, and anatomical changes were observed over a 12-month follow-up period.

RESULTS

After 12 months of follow-up, mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.49 (20/62 in Snellen equivalent) at baseline to 0.23 (20/34 in Snellen equivalent; P < 0.001). Mean central retinal thickness determined by optical coherence tomography decreased from 333 μm to 241 μm (P < 0.001). All eyes (100%) had stable or improved vision, and 9 eyes (75%) showed an improvement of ≥ 2 lines. All lesions converted to the cicatricial phase after 12 months of follow-up. No drug-related systemic or ocular side effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal bevacizumab is well tolerated and improves best-corrected visual acuity in choroidal neovascularization secondary to punctate inner choroidopathy over a 12-month period.