Incidence of acute onset endophthalmitis following intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) injection.
OBJECTIVE
To report the incidence of acute endophthalmitis as a complication of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) (IVB) injection in a tertiary vitreoretinal group practice.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of 5,233 consecutive eyes that underwent IVB injection at Retina Consultants of Alabama (RCA) from October 1, 2005, to August 31, 2007, was performed to identify cases of acute endophthalmitis.


RESULTS
During the 23-month study interval, the overall incidence rate of postinjection endophthalmitis was 0.019% (1/5,233). In the single case of acute endophthalmitis, bacterial cultures revealed coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) species. Visual acuity after treatment for endophthalmitis was improved (baseline 4/400) to 20/400 at two months after the initial IVB injection.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute endophthalmitis is a rare potential complication of IVB. Prophylaxis with topical povidone-iodine and adherence to aseptic technique minimizes the risk of postinjection infection.


CONCLUSIONS
A retrospective review of 5,233 consecutive intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (Avastin) revealed only a single case of acute endophthalmitis. Adherence to aseptic technique and the use of povidone-iodine prophylaxis minimizes the risk of postinjection intraocular infection.
Mason
John O
JO
Retina Consultants of Alabama, Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, USA.
White
Milton F
MF
Feist
Richard M
RM
Thomley
Martin L
ML
Albert
Michael A
MA
Persaud
Tarek O
TO
Yunker
Jacob J
JJ
Vail
Rachel S
RS
D000208:Acute Disease; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000382:microbiology
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab