Contrast sensitivity after intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy for myopic choroidal neovascularization.

Background: To evaluate contrast sensitivity (CS) using Pelli-Robson charts after intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) (Lucentis, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland) or bevacizumab (IVB) (Avastin, Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA) in eyes with myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV).

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 17 consecutive patients treated with IVR (n = 10; 0.5 mg) or IVB (n = 7; 1.25 mg) for mCNV from July, 2006 with follow-ups through September, 2009. Re-treatment was performed at monthly or longer intervals if there was fluorescein leakage in fluorescein angiogram (FAG) and or apparent subretinal fluid in optical coherence tomography (OCT) persisted.

Results: CS improved by a mean of one letter at 1 month (n = 17; p = 0.32), four letters at 3 months (n = 17; p = 0.02), four letters at 6 months (n = 15; p = 0.01), five letters at 9 months (n = 14; p = 0.04) and six letters at 12 months (n = 13; p = 0.03). The mean number of IVR/IVB was 1.6/1.6, 2.6/2.3, 3.1/3.2, 4.1/4.2 and 4.5/4.6 at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months, respectively.

Conclusions: Improvements in Pelli-Robson CS scores were observed during the first year after IVR/IVB in eyes with mCNV.