Switch from Intravitreal Ranibizumab to Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Clinical Comparison

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Pinheiro Costa, J (Author) Other; Freitas da Costa, P (Author) Other; Manuel Falcão (Author) FMUP; Brandao, EM (Author) Other; Falcão-Reis F (Author) FMUP; Ângela Carneiro (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Ophthalmologica

Vol. 232

Pages: 149-155

ISSN: 0030-3755

Publisher: Karger

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 7 Citations

Scopus - 8 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00A-0B0

DOI: 10.1159/000363422

Abstract (EN): Objective: To compare outcomes after switching from intravitreal ranibizumab to bevacizumab in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: A retrospective review of 110 eyes treated in a 1+PRN (pro re nata) clinical setting with ranibizumab that were switched to bevacizumab. Patients analyzed had at least 3 ranibizumab injections followed by at least 3 bevacizumab injections. Changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), retinal thickness and frequency of injections were compared. Results: The mean duration of ranibizumab treatment was 18.1 months, followed by 12.2 months of bevacizumab. Mean injection rates per month were similar (0.54 and 0.56 respectively, p = 0.230). There were no significant differences between BCVA at baseline and at the time of the switch (52.4 and 54.8 letters, p = 0.059). After the switch, there was a statistically significant decrease in BCVA to 51.7 letters (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Switching patients to bevacizumab may have a minor negative effect on the initial gain obtained with ranibizumab; however the degenerative history of wet AMD could explain this small variation in visual acuity. (C) 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7