Short-term intraocular pressure changes after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the short-term changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (IVB) in premature infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Study design: Prospective cohort study.

Methods: Twenty-two eyes of 11 premature infants with ROP were evaluated. The control eyes were from adults who received an intravitreal injection of antivascular endothelial growth factor agent. The patients received a 0.025 mL (0.625 mg) IVB for the ROP. The IOP was measured with a rebound tonometer at baseline, immediately after the injection, and at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes after the injection. The clinical data were collected. The main outcome measures were the IOP values at baseline, immediately after the injection, and at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes after the injection.

Results: The mean IOP values at baseline, immediately after the injection, and at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes after the injection were 12.3 ± 3.0, 40.1 ± 10.7, 20.8 ± 5.1, 15.1 ± 4.8, 11.9 ± 3.2, 9.9 ± 2.6, and 8.8 ± 2.1 mmHg, respectively. The IOP was significantly higher at 5 minutes after the injection (P < .01); however, the pressure in all the eyes normalized (< 21 mmHg) within 15 minutes. None of the clinical parameters, including axial length, was correlated with a high IOP after IVB.

Conclusion: In premature infants with ROP, IVB is tolerable in terms of the short-term elevation in IOP, which returned to a safe range (< 21 mmHg) within 15 minutes of the injection in all the patients. Consecutive IOP measurement might not be necessary after IVB in premature infants with ROP.

Keywords: Intraocular pressure; Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab; Retinopathy of prematurity.