INTRAVITREAL PEGAPTANIB SODIUM (MACUGEN) FOR TREATMENT OF MYOPIC CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION: A Morphologic and Functional Study

BACKGROUND:: To report the morphologic and functional outcomes resulting from the use of intravitreal pegaptanib (IVP) sodium (Macugen) in patients with myopic choroidal neovascularization. METHODS:: An open-label, nonrandomized, prospective clinical trial was performed. Morphologic outcome, such as foveal thickness, was assessed by optical coherence tomography, whereas functional outcomes were assessed by best-corrected visual acuity and microperimetry. Treatment protocol consisted of 3 consecutive IVP (0.3 mg/0.05 mL; baseline, 6th week, and 12th week). Follow-up checks were scheduled at the following intervals: baseline, 18, 24, 36, and 48 weeks. RESULTS:: Twenty eyes from 20 patients were studied. All patients completed follow-up at 48 weeks. After IVP, a significant decrease in foveal thickness occurred (-20%), and at the end of follow-up, choroidal neovascularization closure was obtained in all eyes. An improvement of functional parameters was recorded in all patients (best-corrected visual acuity from 25.5 ± 8.09 letters to 45.5 ± 8.16 letters, P < 0.0001; microperimetry from 8.40 ± 2.14 dB to 10.8 ± 2.05 dB, P < 0.01). The mean number of IVP was 3, and none of patients met the re-treatment criterion during the entire follow-up period. Neither ocular nor systemic side effects were observed. CONCLUSION:: The findings demonstrate that the selective inhibition of VEGF-165 isoform by IVP is an effective treatment for myopic choroidal neovascularization.