Better Visual Acuity Outcomes Observed in Patients with Ocular Melanomas Treated with Prophylactic Bevacizumab After Plaque Radiotherapy

In patients with ocular melanoma treated with prophylactic bevacizumab after plaque radiotherapy there was significant preservation in visual acuity compared with a control group, according to study results presented by Carol L. Shields, MD, said at the Wills Eye Conference.

The researchers aimed to determine if continuous bevacizumab treatment could change visual outcomes for plaque radiotherapy recipients in 3 years.

Previous studies showed that one injection of an anti-VEGF agent did not change visual outcomes for plaque radiotherapy recipients; however, Shields and her team asked if continuous bevacizumab treatment could help in 3 years.

Mean visual acuity was 20/40 in the treatment group compared with 20/60 in the control group after year 1, 20/50 versus 20/100 after year 2, and 20/60 versus 20/200 after year 3.

Reference

Shields C. Prophylactic bevacizumab following plaque radiotherapy for uveal melanoma in 1,131 patients. Presented at: Wills Eye Conference; March 5-7, 2020; Philadelphia.