Intravitreal Bevacizumab For Juxtafoveal Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary To Multifocal Choroiditis

Purpose To assess the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab injections in the treatment of juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with multifocal choroiditis (MC). Methods Non-randomized interventional case series with fourteen patients (14 eyes) affected by juxtafoveal CNV secondary to MC. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including ETDRS best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography. The protocol treatment included a first injection, followed by repeated injections over a 12-month follow-up period on the basis of OCT parameters and angiographic features. Primary outcome measures: mean changes in BCVA and proportion of eyes gaining at least 15 letters (3 ETDRS lines) at the end of the follow-up. Secondary outcomes: mean changes of central macular thickness (CMT) and extension to the fovea. Results Mean BCVA changed from 0.41 Log MAR at baseline to 0.16 Log MAR at the 12-month examination (p <0.002). A functional improvement of at least 3 ETDRS lines was achieved by 6 eyes (43%) at the 12-month examination. Mean CMT at baseline was 318µm and reduced to 239µm at the 12-month examination (p <0.001). No eye showed CNV extension to the fovea. Conclusions Intravitreal bevacizumab injection is a beneficial treatment for juxtafoveal CNV associated with MC. Further studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary results.