Efficacy of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for severe retinopathy of prematurity: a pilot study

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 92; no. 11; pp. 1450 - 1455
• Main Authors: Kusaka, S, Shima, C, Wada, K, Arahori, H, Shimojyo, H, Sato, T, Fujikado, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JR BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.11.2008; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Angiogenesis Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Antibodies, Monoclonal - administration & dosage; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Bevacizumab; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Fluorescein Angiography - methods; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Injections - methods; Male; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Ophthalmology; Ophthalmoscopy - methods; Pilot Projects; Retinal Detachment - prevention & control; Retinal Detachment - surgery; Retinal Neovascularization - complications; Retinal Neovascularization - drug therapy; Retinopathies; Retinopathy of Prematurity - complications; Retinopathy of Prematurity - drug therapy; Retinopathy of Prematurity - surgery; Retrospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Visual Acuity - physiology; Vitrectomy - methods; Vitreous Body; Antineoplastic agent; Pilot; Premature; Retinopathy; Vitreous body; Monoclonal antibody; Injection; Bevacizumab; Immunomodulator; Eye disease; Vascular endothelium growth factor; Prematurity; Ophthalmology; Antiangiogenic agent; Severe
• ISSN: 0007-1161; 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2008.140657

Aim:The aim of the study was to evaluate the short-term efficacy of intravitreal injections of bevacizumab for severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods:A retrospective chart review was conducted of 23 consecutive eyes (stage 3, three eyes; 4A, 18 eyes; 4B, two eyes) of 14 patients with vascularly active ROP considered at high risk for progression or development of tractional retinal detachment despite conventional laser ablation therapy. Patients received an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (0.5 mg), either as the initial treatment (15 eyes) or at the end of vitrectomy (eight eyes).Results:After injection of bevacizumab as the initial treatment, reduced neovascular activity was seen on fluorescein angiography in 14 of 15 eyes. In three eyes, a tractional retinal detachment developed or progressed after bevacizumab injection. No other ocular or systemic adverse effects were identified. Vitrectomy was performed in 20 eyes and the retina was reattached after one surgery in 18 eyes. Multiple surgeries were necessary in two eyes, resulting in retinal reattachment.Conclusion:There results suggest that intravitreal injection of bevacizumab seems to be associated with reduced neovascularisation without apparent ocular or systemic adverse effects, and is thus beneficial for treating severe ROP that is refractory to conventional laser therapy.