Intravitreal bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularization secondary to angioid streaks: A report of two patients

Long-term follow-up of patients with choroidal neovascularization due to angioid streaks

Background

The following case series describes the long-term anatomical and functional outcome of a group of seven patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV), secondary to angioid streaks (AS), who were treated with antiangiogenic drugs in a pro re nata (PRN) regimen. After the 4-year mark, visual acuity tends to return to pretreatment level. Treatment delays and lack of awareness and self-referral by the patients are believed to be the cause of the PRN regimen failure.

Purpose

To assess the long-term outcomes (>4 years) of patients with CNV due to AS treated with a PRN regimen of antiangiogenic.

Methods

This was a retrospective, case series, single-center study. We reviewed the electronic medical records from patients with CNV due to AS. From each record, we noted general demographic data and relevant medical history; clinical presentation, changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over time, optical coherent tomography parameters, treatment and retreatment details, and systemic associations. Changes in BCVA and central macular thickness were assessed with a Wilcoxon two-sample test, with an alpha value of ≤0.05 for statistical significance.

Results

The mean follow-up time was 53.8±26.8 months. BCVA at baseline was: 1.001±0.62 logMAR; at the end of follow-up: 0.996±0.56 logMAR (P=0.9). Central macular thickness at baseline was: 360.85±173.82 μm; at the end of follow-up: 323.85±100.34 μm (P=0.6). Mean number of intravitreal angiogenic drugs: 6±4.16 injections (range 4–15). Mean time between injections was 3.8±2.7 months (range 1.9–5.8 months).

Conclusion

Despite initial anatomical and functional improvement, patients at the end of the follow-up had no visual improvement after a pro re nata regimen of antiangiogenic drugs. The amount of retreatments, number of recurrences, and time between intravitreal injections were similar to previous reports with shorter follow-up.

Intravitreal ranibizumab for bilateral choroidal neovascularisation in a patient with angioid streaks

Angioid streaks are described as irregular lines deep into the retina, configured in a radiating fashion which results from breaks in Bruch's membrane. Optic nerve head drusen are acellular, globular deposits located within the optic nerve head. Angioid streaks and optic nerve head drusen may coexist in patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Both disorders may cause choroidal neovascularisation. In this case report we aimed to present a 48-year-old man with pseudoxanthoma elasticum. The patient had bilateral choroidal neovascularisation secondary to angioid streaks and was treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injections. Visual acuity was increased and maintained at the same level during the follow-up time. There was no complication related to the injection.