Subfoveal choroidal thickness in idiopathic choroidal neovascularization and treatment outcomes after intravitreal bevacizumab therapy

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine subfoveal choroidal thickness in idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and evaluate visual and anatomical outcomes in patients with idiopathic CNV after intravitreal bevacizumab.

METHODS: Retrospective observation case series. Seventeen eyes of 17 patients with idiopathic CNV were treated with a single intravitreal bevacizumab injection, followed by additional doses based on optical coherence tomography findings, including intraretinal fluid, subretinal fluid, or pigment epithelial detachment. We analyzed best-corrected visual acuity, central subfield thickness, and subfoveal choroidal thickness at presentation and final visit. Seventeen unaffected fellow eyes and 17 healthy eyes constituted the control group for subfoveal choroidal thickness.

RESULTS: The subfoveal choroidal thickness was significantly thinner in eyes with idiopathic CNV (237.59 ± 53.84 μm) than in the unaffected fellow eyes (281.71 ± 59.01 μm, P = 0.001) or normal control eyes (290.38 ± 58.94 μm, P = 0.028). Mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.46 initially to 0.26 after treatment (P = 0.024). Mean central subfield thickness decreased from 387.88 ± 97.52 μm at baseline to 261.41 ± 31.18 μm after treatment (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Subfoveal choroidal thickness is reduced and may be associated with the pathophysiology of idiopathic CNV. Intravitreal bevacizumab resulted in significant visual and anatomical improvement in patients with idiopathic CNV.