Vitreous Opacity Following Intravitreal Brolucizumab Injection: A Case Series Review

• Published in: Korean journal of ophthalmology Vol. 38; no. 2; pp. 113 - 121
• Main Authors: Lee, Kook Hyung, Lee, Sung Chul, Lee, Min Woo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Ophthalmological Society 01.04.2024; 대한안과학회
• Subjects: Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Humans; Intravitreal Injections; Orbital Diseases; Original; Pain; Retrospective Studies; Vision Disorders; 안과학; Macular degeneration; Brolucizumab; Asteroid hyalosis; Intraocular inflammation; Vitreous opacity
• ISSN: 1011-8942; 2092-9382; 2092-9382
• DOI: 10.3341/kjo.2023.0133

Purpose: To investigate cases of vitreous opacity (VO) similar to asteroid hyalosis (AH) after intravitreal brolucizumab injection.Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify cases showing VO similar to AH among patients who received intravitreal brolucizumab injections at our retinal clinic from January 2022 to January 2023.Results: A total of 220 brolucizumab injections were administered at our hospital. VO, showing yellow-white brilliant reflective particles, was found in six patients (2.7%). When VO occurred, all patients complained of floaters, although none of them complained of other symptoms including decreased visual acuity, pain, or conjunctival redness. The mean number of brolucizumab injections was 2.57 ± 2.38. No significant visual impairment was observed while VO was present. VO improved in all cases, and four cases improved without any treatment. The mean interval from onset to disappearance of VO was 8.0 ± 3.1 weeks.Conclusions: VO, similar to AH, can occur with a relatively high probability after intravitreal brolucizumab injections. Patients complained of severe floaters, but VO was not accompanied by other symptoms including vision impairment, injection, and pain. The VO disappeared after approximately 4 to 14 weeks. In case that other inflammatory findings are not severe, close follow-up without treatment may be sufficient. If a patient complains of floaters after an intravitreal brolucizumab injection, close fundus observation is necessary to evaluate the VO.