Comparison of 1-year treatment outcome of intravitreal pegaptanib sodium versus bevacizumab for myopic choroidal neovascularization

Objective: To compare one-year treatment outcomes of intravitreal injections of pegaptanib sodium and bevacizumab for myopic choroidal neovascularization (m-CNV).

Methods: 28 patients (28 eyes) with subfoveal m-CNV were assigned alternately to undergo intravitreal pegaptanib 0.3 mg (group P: n = 14) or bevacizumab 1.25 mg (group B: n = 14) between December 2009 and February 2010 and followed-up for one year. Both groups were evaluated every 6 weeks, and injections were repeated when exudate was observed in the macula. Visual acuity, retinal sensitivity within central 12 degrees, greatest linear dimension (GLD) and blood pressure were measured before treatment and at one year. Mann-Whitney U test was used for intergroup comparison, and the Wilcoxon test for comparing pre- and post-treatment data.

Results: No significant differences in mean log-MAR visual acuity and mean blood pressure at one year were observed between the two groups. Mean greatest lesion dimension was reduced significantly in both groups. Mean retinal sensitivity was improved significantly only in group B. The number of injections was significantly smaller in group B.

Conclusions: Although changes in visual acuity at one year did not differ significantly between the two groups, bevacizumab improved mean retinal sensitivity with fewer injections than pegaptanib, suggesting that intravitreal bevacizumab may be more effective than pegaptanib for m-CNV.