Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin) as adjunctive treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Purpose: To report the use of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) as an adjunctive treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Design: Retrospective case review.

Methods: Institutional review board approval to review patient data was obtained for this retrospective study. Three patients underwent intravitreal injection of bevacizumab as part of their treatment for PDR after informed consent was signed. Each patient also underwent fundus photographs before the bevacizumab injection and then one to three weeks after.

Results: All three patients showed complete regression of their neovascularization elsewhere (NVE) and neovascularization of the disk (NVD) between one and three weeks after injection.

Conclusions: The speed and degree of neovascular regression after the injection of intravitreal bevacizumab may make this procedure an important adjunctive treatment in the management of selected cases with severe PDR.