To investigate the effects and prognostic factors related to intravitreal injection of bevacizumab on patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

The medical records of patients who received 3 consecutive intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml, 6 weeks interval) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration and followed up for more than 12 months were reviewed (a total of 31 eyes; male, 20; mean age, 72.3±7.5 years). Baseline best corrected visual acuity, foveal thickness, and total macular volume were compared with those after 1, 4, and 12 months. The therapeutic effects were investigated with regard to factors such as age, sex, initial visual acuity, lesion size, subtypes of choroidal neovascularization, pigment epithelial detachment, submacular hemorrhage, and previous history of photodynamic therapy.

Initial visual acuity (logMAR), foveal thickness, and total macular volume were 0.74±0.49, 320±88 µm and 9.50±2.99 mm³, respectively. Visual acuity improved to 0.68±0.61 ( p =0.012), and foveal thickness and total macular volume decreased to 218±69 µm and 6.32±0.71 mm³ ( p <0.001), respectively, at 12 months. Visual improvement was achieved less often in patients who were 75 years or older and who had lesions 3 disc areas or greater and relatively good initial vision at 12 months.

Intravitreal bevacizumab injection has beneficial effects for patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration with regard to function and anatomy. However, it should be noted that visual improvement may be limited in older patients with larger lesions and good initial vision.