A randomized trial of intravitreal bevacizumab vs. ranibizumab for myopic CNV

AIMS: The aim was to compare the efficacy of intravitreal therapy with bevacizumab and ranibizumab for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in pathologic myopia (PM).

METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter randomized nonblinded trial.

RESULTS: In seven centers, 78 eyes were randomized 1:1 to treatment with bevacizumab (group B, 40 eyes) or ranibizumab (group R, 38 eyes) given with an "on demand" regimen (PRN). The mean follow-up was 19 months (SD 2, range 12-24). The mean BCVA at baseline was 0.60 logMAR (20/80 Snellen equivalent, Seq) and 50 letter score (ls). Mean final BCVA was 0.51 LogMAR (20/63 Seq) and 57 ls (p = 0.0009 and p = 0.0002, respectively). In group B, mean basal BCVA was 0.52 logMAR (20/63 Seq) and 54 ls, and final BCVA was 0.51 logMar (20/63 Seq) and 57 ls. In group R, mean basal BCVA was 0.62 logMAR (20/80 Seq) and 45 ls, and the final values were 0.50 logMAR (20/63 Seq) and 58 ls. Statistical comparison of the two groups showed no significant difference (logMAR p = 0.90 and letters p = 0.78). Multivariate analysis showed no influence of age or previous photodynamic treatment (PDT) on final visual changes. The mean number of treatments in the first year was 2.7 in group B and 2.3 in group R (p = 0.09).

CONCLUSION: Myopic CNV equally benefits from on-demand intravitreal injection of either bevacizumab or ranibizumab; the therapeutic effect is independent of previous PDT and age.