Bevacizumab for occult subfoveal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE To report on the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration by intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin). METHODS A 78-year-old patient experienced a progressive loss of visual acuity in her right eye due to an occult subfoveal neovascular membrane in age-related macular degeneration. She received an intravitreal injection of 1.5 mg bevacizumab. RESULTS Within 4 weeks after the injection, visual acuity improved from 0.40 to 0.60 with complete resolution of subretinal and intraretinal leakage and edema as shown on optical coherence tomography. Pre-existing metamorphopsias disappeared. Intraocular pressure remained in the normal range. During the follow-up, there were no sings of intraocular inflammation or any other intraocular pathology induced by the intravitreal injection. CONCLUSIONS Intravitreal bevacizumab may potentially be helpful in the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration and may deserve further evaluation.