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Br J Ophthalmol 2008;92:1450-1455 doi:10.1136/bjo.2008.140657
  • Original Article
    • Clinical science

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

  1. S Kusaka1,
  2. C Shima1,
  3. K Wada2,
  4. H Arahori2,
  5. H Shimojyo1,
  6. T Sato1,
  7. T Fujikado1
  1. 1
    Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Medical School, Osaka, Japan
  2. 2
    Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Medical School, Osaka, Japan
  1. Dr S Kusaka, Department of Ophthalmology, E-7, Osaka University Medical School, 2-2 Yamadaoka Suita, Osaka 565–0871, Japan; skusaka{at}ophthal.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
  • Accepted 22 June 2008
  • Published Online First 11 July 2008

Abstract

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.

Footnotes

  • Funding: Supported by Grant-in-Aid 17591832 and 20592041 from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan.

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Ethics approval: The study protocol for intravitreal injection of bevacizumab was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Osaka University Medical School.

  • Patient consent: Parental consent obtained.

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