Testing Toxicity of Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) used for the Treatment of Choroidal Neovascularization Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Full Field ERG Study

Purpose: To evaluate the toxic retinal effects of intravitreal bevacizumab used for the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using Ganzfeld Electroretinography (G-ERG) Methods: In this prospective comparative interventional study, 23 patients with active choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with AMD were enrolled. Patients were received intravitreal injections of either 2.5 (12 patients) or 1.25 mg (11 patients) of intravitreal bevacizumab. Patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination including visual acuity testing, and G-ERG, at baseline, at one week, at one month, and at three months after intravitreal bevacizumab. Results: Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) significantly increased from 1.34±0.59 (logMAR) in preinjection examination to 1.07±0.47 (logMAR) at one month (P=0.01), and 1.03±0.46 (logMAR) at three months (P=0.001). G-ERG did not show any significant change in the waveform parameters following intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the amount of change in visual acuity and G-ERG recordings of postinjection measurements. Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab did not appear toxic to the retina based on G-ERG recordings.