Intravitreal bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration

Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor, is used in the treatment of cancer. It was the first clinically available angiogenesis inhibitor in the U.S. Recently, bevacizumab has been used by ophthalmologists in the intravitreal treatment of choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration. Since all published trials were less than one year in duration, including follow up, no conclusion can be drawn about the long-term safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab. In open-label studies, however, intravitreal bevacizumab has yielded marked improvements in visual acuity and central retinal thickness. Compounding pharmacists who are validated in aseptic compounding can prepare intravitreal bevacizumab from the available preservative-free phosphate-buffered intravenous solution using strict aseptic technique.