Intravitreal bevacizumab for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity: a case report

Abstract

Objective: We report the first case in Scotland of a premature infant treated for retinopathy of prematurity with bevacizumab.

Method: A case report and a review of the literature are presented.

Results: Retinopathy of prematurity is a leading worldwide cause of childhood blindness. Conventional laser treatment results in destruction of the peripheral retina and does not prevent all cases of vision loss, particularly in Zone I disease. We present the case of a baby born at 26(+3) weeks who developed stage 3+ disease located in Zone I of the retina. The patient was treated with bilateral bevacizumab injections and achieved complete resolution of his retinopathy.

Conclusion: Bevacizumab therapy for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity is an effective and inexpensive treatment that can readily and quickly be administered by a competent ophthalmologist without the need for specialist equipment.

Keywords: Retinopathy of prematurity; anti-VEGF; bevacizumab.