AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal Avastin for managing choroidal neovascularization(CNV)due to age-related macular degeneration(AMD).

METHODS: Totally 60 patients(60 eyes)which were diagnosed by fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA)and indocyanine green angiography(ICGA)from January 2009 to December 2010. Sixty patients(60 eyes)with subfoveal CNV due to AMD participated in this study. An intravitreal injection of Avastin(1.25mg)was given at baseline and followed by two additional injections of six weeks intervals. The best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), intraocular pressure, the change of lens and vitreous, choroidal leaks by indocyanine green angiography, and central retinal thickness by optical coherence tomography were observed 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after the treatment and then compared.

RESULTS: Sixty eyes of 60 patients \〖26 males(26 eyes)and 34 females(34 eyes)\〗 with the average of 62 years old were included. The mean baseline of BCVA and central foveal thickness(CFT)were 1.15±0.41(logMAR), 395.92±94.39μm, respectively. The mean BCVA had significant improvement(logMAR 0.86±0.43)one day after the injection. The mean baseline of CFT also had significant decrease one week after the injection(332.50±68.35μm). At the last of 6 months follow-up, BCVA(logMAR 0.71±0.37), CFT(250.23±35.33μm)showed significant improvements over baseline values. A total of 113 injections were performed and the average number of injections was 1.88 in the group. There was no serious complication during the treatment.

CONCLUSION: Intravitreal Avastin for managing CNV due to age-related macular degeneration is safe and few side-effects. Intravitreal Avastin associated with improvement in VA, which can reduce macular edema and choroidal leakage.