Intraocular pressure effects of pegaptanib (Macugen) injections in patients with and without glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if pegaptanib (Macugen) [Eyetech Pharmaceuticals; Pfizer Inc, New York, New York, USA] injections cause adverse intraocular pressure (IOP) effects in patients with and without glaucoma.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Review of 75 eyes treated with intravitreal injections of pegaptanib (0.09 ml). The effect of these injections on IOP was analyzed. Most patients received prophylactic IOP-lowering medications.


RESULTS
The mean preinjection IOP based on the first injection of each patient was 14 +/- 3 mm Hg; at one minute postinjection, 38 +/- 14 mm Hg, at three to 10 minutes was 34 +/- 9 mm Hg, and at 11 to 20 minutes was 26 +/-10 mm Hg, respectively. Most patients' IOPs had significantly diminished by 30 minutes postinjection.


CONCLUSIONS
Pegaptanib injections result in a significant transient rise in IOP that considerably diminishes by 30 minutes postinjection but can take up to one hour. This may be damaging to the optic nerve, particularly in patients with advanced glaucoma.
Frenkel
Ronald E P
RE
Eye Research Foundation, Stuart, Florida, USA. efleye@aol.com
Mani
Lakshmi
L
Toler
Allison R
AR
Frenkel
Max P C
MP
D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014822:Vitreous Body
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C495058:pegaptanib