LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB THERAPY FOR SUBRETINAL NEOVASCULARIZATION SECONDARY TO IDIOPATHIC MACULAR TELANGIECTASIA TYPE 2.

PURPOSE

To assess the long-term visual acuity results for intravitreal bevacizumab therapy in the treatment of subretinal neovascular membrane (SRNVM) secondary to idiopathic macular telangiectasia (Mactel) Type 2.

METHODS

This retrospective review of a consecutive, interventional case series includes patients with SRNVM secondary to Mactel Type 2 who were seen at Cincinnati Eye Institute from February 2006 to December 2014. Best-corrected visual acuity, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography measurements were performed. Exclusion criteria were the following: Mactel Type 2 patients without SRNVM, Mactel Type 1 patients, patients who had SRNVM or macular edema related to other maculopathies, and patients who had pars plana vitrectomy or laser treatment to the macula during the course of care or before their first visit.

RESULTS

Twenty-five eyes of 20 patients with SRNVM secondary to Mactel Type 2 were included in the study. The mean baseline best-corrected visual acuity was 20/91 (median: 20/69) and the mean final best-corrected visual acuity was 20/62 (median: 20/60) at the last visit (P < 0.0001). The mean number of injections was 8.4 ± 11.1 (range: 2-53, median: 4). The mean pretreatment central macular thickness of 254 μm improved to 205 μm at the final visit (P = 0.011). No complications related to intravitreal bevacizumab injection were noted during the mean follow-up time of 40.8 ± 33.7 months (range: 4-108 months, median: 24 months).

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal bevacizumab therapy is an effective long-term treatment modality for SRNVM secondary to Mactel Type 2 based on improvement in best-corrected visual acuity and associated reduction in central macular thickness.