Intravitreal Anti–vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment at 2-Month Intervals Reduces Foveal Avascular Zone Enlargement and Vision Loss in Radiation Maculopathy

Abstract

Decrease in best-corrected visual acuity and FAZ enlargement on optical coherence tomography angiography occurred over 6 months in eyes with radiation maculopathy and were significantly reduced under 2-month-interval anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

Retinal Vascular Changes in Radiation Maculopathy after Intravitreal Ranibizumab by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

“…Moreover, a moderate and significant correlation between BCVA change and FAZ change over six months has been found [2].…”

“…Daruich et al reported a progressive and significant visual acuity loss and FAZ enlargement over a six-month period during Ranibizumab or Bevacizumab intravitreal injections [2].…”

“…Among the treatments for RM, anti-VEGF injections, administered at regular intervals, allowed anatomical benefits, but variable results have been proven regarding the preservation of BCVA [2].…”

“…Radiotherapy is the main treatment for choroidal melanoma and, in particular, ruthenium-106 plaque brachytherapy, although it causes a local irradiation, may determine long-term damage to the retinal vascular network with the appearance of radiation maculopathy (RM), which represents a frequent complication [ 1 , 2 ].…”

Temporal Relationship Between Visual Field, Retinal and Microvascular Pathology Following 125I-Plaque Brachytherapy for Uveal Melanoma

“…Previous studies support repeat prophylactic administration of bevacizumab to slow FAZ enlargement, decrease retinal edema, and preserve visual acuity. [39][40][41][42] Here, patients who did not receive bevacizumab had significantly better visual acuity than those patients who did. There were no statistically significant differences in FAZ enlargement or retinal thickness across treatment groups.…”