Choroidal neovascularization in pathologic myopia: intravitreal ranibizumab versus bevacizumab--a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To compare the short-term efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab versus bevacizumab in treating myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Design: Prospective, comparative, randomized, interventional study.

Methods: Thirty-two eyes from 32 patients with myopic CNV were consecutively enrolled and randomly treated, in a 1:1 ratio, with intravitreal ranibizumab (0.5 mg) or bevacizumab (1.25 mg) as needed, after the first injection. ETDRS best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), foveal center thickness (FCT) on optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiographic findings were examined before and after treatment. Patients were followed up for 6 months.

Results: No statistically significant difference in the BCVA improvement, as well as in the FCT reduction, was found between groups during follow-up (P value at 1, 3, 6 months > .05). Complete resolution of fluorescein leakage was observed in all 16 bevacizumab-treated eyes and in 15 out of 16 (93.7%) ranibizumab-treated eyes. No ocular or systemic adverse effects from treatment were encountered.

Conclusion: This randomized clinical study cannot determine a statistically significant difference in anti-VEGF treatment effect between ranibizumab and bevacizumab for the treatment of CNV secondary to pathologic myopia. A larger study is required to determine the relative efficacy and duration of action of these drugs.