One-year results of treatment with bevacizumab alone or ranibizumab alone for low visual acuity due to neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate treatment with bevacizumab alone or ranibizumab alone in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients with low visual acuity.

Methods: Data were analyzed retrospectively. Inclusion criteria were (1) pretreatment visual acuity of LogMAR 1.3 or worse and (2) treatment duration of at least 12 months. Injections were given monthly for the first 3 months and thereafter as needed. Data collected for each patient included best corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness measured before treatment, at months 3, 6, 9, and 12 during treatment, and at the last follow-up visit.

Results: In the bevacizumab patients, mean visual acuity was initially 1.70 LogMAR; at months 3, 6, 9, and 12 during treatment it was 1.20, 1.11, 1.14, and 1.10 LogMAR, respectively, and at the last follow-up it was 1.12 LogMAR (P<0.01 for all differences with respect to the initial value). Mean injection number in the first 12 months was 5.3. In the ranibizumab patients, mean visual acuity was initially 1.53 LogMAR; at months 3, 6, 9, and 12 during treatment it was 1.18, 1.17, 1.17, and 1.28 LogMAR, respectively, and at the last follow-up it was 1.21 LogMAR (P<0.01 for all differences with respect to the initial value). Mean injection number in the first 12 months was 4.2.

Conclusion: Patients with nAMD and low pretreatment visual acuities can benefit from treatment with bevacizumab or ranibizumab.