Intravitreal Bevacizumab and Triamcinolone Acetonide Combination Therapy for Exudative Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Short-Term Optical Coherence Tomography Results

PURPOSE: The aim of this study to describe the short-term anatomical results after an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab and triamcinolone acetonide in patients with foveal edema and/or subfoveal fluid associated with neovascularization (NV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: A retrospective, noncomparative case series was conducted in patients with foveal edema and/or subfoveal fluid associated with NV due to AMD during a 3-month period. Patients were treated with intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) and followed immediately with triamcinolone acetonide (2 mg/ 0.05 mL) in separate syringes. Ophthalmoscopic examination with optical coherence tomography analysis of foveal edema and subfoveal fluid volume was performed at baseline and follow-up visits. RESULTS: There were 30 consecutive eyes of 27 patients who received a short-term follow-up between 1 and 8 weeks after injection. Foveal thickness and subfoveal fluid volume were each statistically significantly reduced in the short term (paired Student t test; P < 0.01). No complications of intraocular pressure greater than 30 mmHg, endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, or vitreous hemorrhage developed. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction of foveal edema and subfoveal fluid in patients with NV due to AMD suggests that combination treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone merits further investigation.