Intraocular Pressure Spikes after Aflibercept Intravitreal Injections

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the intraocular pressure (IOP) as well as the anatomical modifications of the anterior segment following an aflibercept injection. Patients underwent an aflibercept intravitreal injection (IVI) (0.05 ml) with a 30.5-gauge needle and an antireflux system. IOP was assessed before injection (T0), immediately after (T1), and 5 min (T5), 15 min (T15), and 45 min (T45) after the IVI. Before the IVI and immediately after the T1 measurement, a PENTACAM® acquisition was used to evaluate the anterior chamber parameters (anterior chamber volume, depth and measure of the iridocorneal angle). At T0, IOP was 12.9 ± 1.3 mm Hg. IOP significantly increased after IVI (42.7 ± 3 mm Hg, p < 0.001). IOP returned to baseline at T45 (13.0 ± 1.2 mm Hg, p = 0.877). Anterior chamber volume decreased after IVI (160.6 vs. 168.3 mm3, p = 0.002). No significant changes were found for iridocorneal angle and anterior chamber depth. Aflibercept IVI causes an acute increase in IOP over a short period without iridocorneal angle closure.