OUTCOMES OF INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB IN NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: EXPERIENCE FROM A JORDANIAN MILITARY HOSPITAL

Hesham Q. Rawashdeh, MD*, Areej Al Assassfeh, MD, Duaa T. Daradkeh, MD, Ibrahim Al keelany, MD, Rawan Al Foqaha, MD

ABSTRACT

Aim: To evaluate the functional, anatomical and safety outcomes of using intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in Jordanian military hospitals for treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Methods: This retrospective study involved the use of IVB in treatment-naïve patients suffering from nAMD at the ophthalmology clinic in Prince Rashid Bin Al-Hassan Military Hospital between February 2023 and February 2026. All patients recieved three loading doses of IVB (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) given monthly, followed by PRN. BCVA and CMT were measured at baseline, one month, two months, and three months after loading. The adverse events and safety profile were noted. Statistical analysis involved paired t-tests with p<0.001 considered as significant. Results: The mean age of patients is 73.5±8.1 years, with women accounting for 57.5% of the population. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved significantly from an average of 0.11±0.05 letters at the beginning of the study to an average of 0.5±0.5 three months later (average gain +0.39 letters, p<0.001). Central macular thickness (CMT) decreased significantly from an average of 512.6±95.3 Micron at baseline to an average of 230.3±62.5 Micron three months later (average drop -282.3 Micron, p<0.001). Complete fluid resolution was achieved in 70% of eyes after completing the loading doses. The overall number of adverse events was equal to 13.5% of eyes. Transitory ocular discomfort was the most common adverse effect (10.0%). Conclusion: Three months of loading doses of intravitreal bevacizumab is associated with remarkable anatomical improvement in patients with newly diagnosed nAMD with relatively excellent safety level.

Keywords: Bevacizumab; neovascular age-related macular degeneration; anti-VEGF; macular thickness.