Intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with choroidal neovascularization due to choroid rupture after blunt-head trauma

Abstract

Purpose: To describe and report the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) as primary treatment for secondary choroidal neovascularization (CNV) after choroidal rupture due to blunt-head trauma. Design: Interventional case report. Methods: The study was ofthe left eye of a patient who presented with choroidal neovascularization secondary to choroidal rupture due to blunt-head trauma. The patient received single intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg (0.05 ml) bevacizumab as treatment for CNV after informed consent was signed. The patient underwent fundus fluorescein angiography (FA) and optic coherence tomography (OCT) before the bevacizumab injection and then again three months after. Visual acuity was also measured before and after treatment. The patient was re-examined on the first day, and monthly thereafter. After intravitreal injection of bevacizumab the visual and anatomic responses were observed. Results: The patient showed regression of the neovascularization three months after injection of bevacizumab. There was no loss of vision in the immediate postoperative period and at the 3rd month vision improved from 20/60 to 20/20. Central retinal thickness decreased. No cataract progression, endophthalmitis, or injection-related complications were observed. Conclusions: Our study shows that intravitreal 1.25 mg bevacizumab can be an effective alternative treatment for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to choroidal rupture. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008.