Two Different Doses of Intravitreal Bevacizumab for Treatment of Choroidal Neovascularization Associated with Age-related Macular Degeneration

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of 1.25 mg versus 2.5 mg intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with agerelated macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, consecutive patients with active CNV associated with AMD received 1.25 mg or 2.5 mg IVB. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), foveal thickness and side effects of therapy were evaluated one and three months after intervention. RESULTS: Overall 86 subjects were enrolled and completed the scheduled follow-up. Forty seven and 39 patients received 1.25 and 2.5 mg IVB respectively. The study groups were balanced in terms of baseline characteristics such as age, BCVA and foveal thickness. Mean improvement in BCVA was 0.06±0.3 logMAR in the 1.25 mg group and 0.07±0.34 logMAR in the 2.5 mg group (P=0.9). Mean decrease in foveal thickness was 49±36 μm in the 1.25 mg group and 65±31μm in the 2.5 mg group (P=0.6). Three cases of vitreous reaction and one case of massive subretinal hemorrhage were observed in the 2.5 mg group. CONCLUSION: Double dose (2.5 mg) IVB does not seem to be more effective than regular dose (1.25 mg) injections for treatment of CNV due to AMD and may lead to more complications.