Charles E. Lyon, M.D., FACS, recently presented updated numbers for Vitreo-Retinal Associates' on-going study of patients with Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration being treated with Avastin.
Dr. Lyon made his presentation to some of the country's most-distinguished physicians at the Masters meeting of the American Society of Retina Specialists in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
The title of Dr. Lyon's presentation was "Long-Term Visual Outcome of Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration." Data for the presentation was based on approximately 300 patients with Wet AMD who are being treated by Dr. Lyon.
"Our goal is to maintain visual stability for patients with exudative AMD, using the most cost-effective approach," Dr. Lyon said.
The results showed that 97% of all wet AMD patients who have been treated with Avastin for three and six months achieved visual stability. Results also showed that 94% of patients treated with Avastin for nine months achieved visual stability, and that 96% of patients treated with Avastin for 12 months achieved visual stability.
Of Wet AMD Avastin patients with a baseline corrected visual acuity between 20/40 and 20/400, 96% were stable at three months, 97% were stable at six months, 92% were stable at nine months and 95% were stable at 12 months.
Of Wet AMD Avastin patients with a baseline corrected visual acuity of less than 20/400, 100% achieved visual stability
Avastin, which is approved by the Federal Drug Administration for the treatment of colon cancer, is being used off-label by Dr. Lyon and other retina specialists for the treatment of Wet AMD. The cost of Avastin is substantially lower than that of Lucentis, which is FDA-approved for the treatment of Wet AMD.
Based on patients in VRA's study, the average number of Avastin injections at 12 months was 4.57. Therefore, the cost to a patient being treated with Avastin would have been $1,029.62. The cost to a patient being treated with Lucentis would have been $9,767.46 (numbers based on Medicare allowable rates for 2006 plus 20% co-insurance).
If you have been diagnosed with Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Avastin may be a treatment you should consider. To make an appointment with Dr. Lyon, please call our office at (318) 222-8421 or (800) 521-7218. Dr. Lyon welcomes new patients.
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