Clinical outcome and compliance to treatment in patients with CNVM: Our experience

Abstract

To evaluate the outcome of treatment for CNVM and to estimate the compliance to treatment in patients diagnosed with CNVM. A hospital-based retrospective descriptive study was done. Case record analysis of all the patients with diagnosis of CNVM, attending the retina clinic of a tertiary care centre was done. Records were studied for demographic and ocular characteristics and Ocular findings during initial and follow-up visits including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and findings on OCT.45 cases were diagnosed to have vision loss due to CNVM. All the patients were counseled to undergo three doses of intravitreal Bevacizumab injection at monthly intervals. However out of 45 cases only 14 cases followed the protocol and completed 6 months follow up. All the patients received intravitreal Bevacizumab at monthly intervals for three months followed by injections as and when required. BCVA on LOGMAR improved from 1.032(+/- 0.05) to 0.75(+/- 0.037) at 6 months follow up. Reduction in the activity of CNVM was noted in all the patients with significant visual recovery. Of 45 cases diagnosed to have CNVM only 14 patients were compliant to treatment protocol and follow up. The compliance rate was found to be 31%.CNVM is one of the leading causes of visual loss and irreversible blindness. Anti- VEGF drugs have been found to be efficacious in the treatment of CNVM. Intravitreal Bevacizumab found to be efficacious in reducing the CNVM activity and improving the visual acuity. However the treatment regimen has to be followed for successful clinical outcome. Compliance of patients to treatment and consequent treatment success outcome may be improved by addressing the underlying causative factors for non compliance.