[Intravitreal bevacizumab injections versus verteporferin photodynamic therapy for macular choroidal neovascularization in high myopia: 24-month follow-up].

To compare the long-term safety and of intravitreal bevacizumab injections (IVB) and verteporferin photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in high myopia. Review of retrospectively collected data of 60 eyes of 60 patients with high myopic choroidal neovascularization treated either with standard PDT (PDT group; n=30) or IVB injections (IVB group; n=30). The two groups were compared at baseline, 3, 6,12 and 24 months. In the IVB group, mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was significantly improved at 3 to 12 months; however, the significance was lost at 24 months. The PDT group showed an insignificant improvement at 3 and 6 months, then worsened at 12 and 24 months. Mean BCVA was better in the IVB group than the PDT group at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. The decrease in mean central macular thickness was significantly higher in the IVB group than in the PDT group at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. At 24 months, chorioretinal atrophy was noted in five eyes (16.6%) treated with IVB and in 22 eyes (73.3%) treated with PDT (P=2×10(-5)). IVB provides significantly better BCVA than PDT for high myopic CNV over the long-term.