Intravitreal bevacizumab for juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to multifocal choroiditis

To assess the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab injections in the treatment of juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with multifocal choroiditis.

Prospective interventional case series. Fourteen patients (14 eyes) affected by juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to multifocal choroiditis were examined. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including measurement of best-corrected visual acuity using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study charts, optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiography. The protocol treatment included a first injection, followed by repeated intravitreal bevacizumab injections over a 12-month follow-up period on the basis of optical coherence tomography parameters and angiographic features.

Mean best-corrected visual acuity changed from 0.41 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (approximately corresponding to 20/51 Snellen equivalent), at baseline, to 0.16 ± 0.13 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (approximately corresponding to 20/28 Snellen equivalent), at the 12-month examination (P < 0.002). A functional improvement of at least 3 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study lines was achieved by 6 eyes (43%) at the 12-month examination. Mean central macular thickness at baseline was 318 μm, reducing to 239 μm at the 12-month examination (P < 0.001). No eye showed choroidal neovascularization extension to the fovea.

Intravitreal bevacizumab is a beneficial treatment for juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with multifocal choroiditis. Further studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary results.