Complications in patients after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.
OBJECTIVE
To report complications in patients after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab to treat ocular diseases associated with vascular endothelial growth factor.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the systemic and ocular complications that developed within 2 months of each intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in 707 patients (1300 injections) with intraocular neovascularization or macular oedema.


RESULTS
Nine ocular (1.27%) and eight systemic (1.13%) complications occurred in 707 patients. The ocular complications included corneal abrasion (n = 2), chemosis (n = 2), lens injury (n = 1), ocular inflammation (n = 2), retinal pigment epithelial tear (n = 1) and acute vision loss (n = 1). The systemic complications included cerebral infarction (n = 1), elevation of systolic blood pressure (n = 2), facial skin redness (n = 1), itchy diffuse rash (n = 1) and menstrual irregularities (n = 3).


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab may cause systemic or ocular complications. Caution is advised when considering intravitreal injection of this drug.
Shima
Chiharu
C
Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Japan.
Sakaguchi
Hirokazu
H
Gomi
Fumi
F
Kamei
Motohiro
M
Ikuno
Yasushi
Y
Oshima
Yusuke
Y
Sawa
Miki
M
Tsujikawa
Motokazu
M
Kusaka
Shunji
S
Tano
Yasuo
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000139:chemically induced*; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D004890:Erythema / Q000139:chemically induced; D005076:Exanthema / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced; D007267:Injections; D007905:Lens Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014822:Vitreous Body
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab