Rates of Suspected Endophthalmitis Following Intravitreal Injections in Clinical Practices in the United States

Abstract

Background and objective: To evaluate rates of suspected endophthalmitis following intravitreal injections of aflibercept, bevacizumab, ranibizumab (vial and pre-filled), dexamethasone implant, and triamcinolone in clinical practice.

Patients and methods: Retrospective study of aggregated electronic medical records from the Vestrum Health Database. Eyes with a diagnosis of suspected endophthalmitis based on billing codes between January 2013 and June 2019 were included.

Results: Total number of injections, suspected endophthalmitis cases, and medication rate, respectively, were: aflibercept (1,412,699; 687; 0.049%); bevacizumab (1,467,722; 379; 0.026%); ranibizumab vial (884,061; 233; 0.026%), ranibizumab pre-filled (427,763; 96; 0.022%); dexamethasone implant (49,464; 53; 0.107%); and triamcinolone (75,038; 110; 0.147%). Rates were lower for bevacizumab and ranibizumab (vial and pre-filled) compared to aflibercept, dexamethasone implant, and triamcinolone (P < .05). Triamcinolone had a higher rate compared to all of the other medications (P < .05).

Conclusions: Suspected endophthalmitis rates following anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections in clinical practice were similar to reported rates in clinical trials. Rates of suspected endophthalmitis following steroid injections trended higher with significantly higher rates with triamcinolone. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:312-318.].