Bevacizumab as adjuvant for neovascular glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to evaluate the longterm effects of intraocular bevacizumab (Avastin) injections as adjuvant treatment in patients with neovascular glaucoma.


METHODS
Twenty eyes of 18 consecutive patients with secondary neovascular glaucoma caused by proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 7), ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion (n = 7), ischaemic ophthalmopathy (n = 2) and retinal ischaemia resulting from persistent detachment (n = 2) were treated with intraocular bevacizumab injections (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) in addition to other treatments. The main outcome measure was the change in degree of iris rubeosis. Secondary outcomes included intraocular pressure (IOP), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and numbers of additional interventions or antiglaucoma medications administered after injection.


RESULTS
Mean (+/- standard deviation) follow-up was 67.7 +/- 13.8 weeks (range 50-93 weeks). At the last follow-up, complete regression of rubeosis was detectable in five (20%) eyes, incomplete regression in seven (35%), stabilization in six (30%), and an increase in two (10%) eyes. Mean IOP was 26.0 +/- 8.9 mmHg at baseline and significantly decreased to 14.75 +/- 5.3 mmHg at the last follow-up visit (p = 0.000005). Mean baseline BCVA (logMAR [logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution] 1.43 +/- 0.89) was stabilized during the follow-up period (logMAR 1.5 +/- 0.98). Patients received an average of 2.75 injections. Additional treatments were laser photocoagulation in 13 (65%) eyes, cyclodestructive procedure in 14 (70%), cryopexy in six (30%), drainage procedures in two (10%), and vitrectomy in five (25%) eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
Bevacizumab may be beneficial as adjuvant treatment in neovascular glaucoma because of its anti-angiogenic properties and its ability to prevent establishment or progression of angular obstruction. The causative disease inducing the angiogenic process requires treatment in all cases. Antiglaucoma treatment is needed in cases of persistent elevated IOP.
Beutel
Julia
J
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
Peters
Swaantje
S
Lüke
Matthias
M
Aisenbrey
Sabin
S
Szurman
Peter
P
Spitzer
Martin S
MS
Yoeruek
Efdal
E
Grisanti
Salvatore
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015355:Glaucoma, Neovascular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D056965:Injections, Intraocular; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D007499:Iris Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications; D008028:Light Coagulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000150:complications; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications; D012171:Retinal Vessels; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D014821:Vitrectomy
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab