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Published on: August 11, 2023
Choroidal Neovascular Membrane in Pediatric Patients: Long-Term Outcomes of Anti-VEGF Therapy
Insights
Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy effectively treated choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) in pediatric patients, showing anatomical and functional improvements without adverse effects. Early diagnosis and intervention are key for favorable outcomes in pediatric CNV.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Medical Research
Background:
- Choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) in children and adolescents is a significant cause of vision impairment.
- Understanding the epidemiology, etiology, and treatment efficacy of pediatric CNV is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the epidemiological data, etiology, clinical characteristics, and treatment efficacy of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy for pediatric CNV.
- To assess the safety and effectiveness of anti-VEGF therapy in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 12 pediatric patients with CNV treated between 2015 and 2025.
- Comprehensive ophthalmological examinations, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography.
- Evaluation of epidemiological, clinical, and morphological characteristics before and after anti-VEGF therapy.
Main Results:
- All patients demonstrated either anatomical or functional improvement following anti-VEGF treatment.
- No ocular or systemic adverse events related to intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy were observed.
- The primary etiologies identified were post-inflammatory/post-infectious (6 cases) and idiopathic (3 cases).
Conclusions:
- Early diagnosis and intervention with anti-VEGF therapy lead to favorable outcomes, including disease stabilization and remission in pediatric CNV.
- Intravitreal anti-VEGF administration was safe and well-tolerated in this pediatric cohort.
- Further research is needed to fully understand pediatric CNV pathogenesis and optimize treatment strategies.
Aim:
To evaluate the epidemiological data, etiology and clinical characteristics, and to assess the efficacy and safety of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy in the treatment of choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) in children and adolescents. The results are compared with data from previously published studies and case reports.
Material And Methods:
Retrospective analysis of medical records of patients treated for CNV at the Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, University Hospital Brno, between January 2015 and April 2025. The cohort consisted of 12 patients, including 7 males and 5 females. All the cases involved unilateral disease; the right eye was affected in 7 patients and the left eye in 5. The mean age at onset was 11.8 years (range: 3-17 years). All underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological examination including optical coherence tomography (OCT); in 7 cases the diagnosis was confirmed by fluorescein angiography. The evaluated parameters included epidemiological data, clinical and morphological characteristics of CNV before and after anti-VEGF therapy. The etiology of CNV in our cohort was as follows: post-inflammatory/post-infectious in 6 cases, idiopathic in 3 cases, and one case each of myopic, post-traumatic, and neoplastic origin. The most common localization was subfoveal. All CNV lesions were classified as classic (type 2).
Results:
All patients achieved either anatomical or functional improvement. No ocular or systemic adverse effects related to intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy were observed during the study period.
Conclusion:
Early diagnosis and intervention with anti-VEGF therapy show favorable outcomes, including stabilization and remission of the disease. In our cohort, no adverse events or complications associated with intravitreal anti-VEGF administration were recorded. Continued research is essential in order to gain a further understanding of the pathogenesis of pediatric CNV and to optimize treatment strategies in children.
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