Safety of repeat intravitreal injections of bevacizumab versus ranibizumab: our experience after 2,000 injections.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the safety of repeat intravitreal injections of bevacizumab versus ranibizumab performed on a large series of patients during the past 2 years period of time.


METHODS
Four hundred fifty patients receiving 2,000 injections (1,275 bevacizumab and 725 ranibizumab) were studied retrospectively. Injections performed in a usual examination room under the standard sterile conditions. Follow-up varied from 3 to 24 months.


RESULTS
Serious ocular adverse events were uncommon. Only one patient developed retinal detachment (0.05%). Most common procedure-related ocular adverse event was injection-site redness (64.75%). Postoperative subconjuctival hemorrhage occurred after 200 (10%) injections. Patients receiving aspirin treatment were more prone to have subconjuctival hemorrhage (P = 0.0002). Most common drug-related ocular adverse event was uveitis (1.90%), which was treated successfully and lasted no >12 days. There was no statistically significant difference between the patients treated with bevacizumab or ranibizumab regarding the noted adverse events (P > 0.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple intravitreal injections of bevacizumab or ranibizumab were both well tolerated and safe. Performing injections on a usual examination room proved safe. Injection-site redness, subconjuctival hemorrhage, and uveitis were the most common ocular adverse events. Aspirin treatment was a risk factor for the development of subconjuctival hemorrhage.
Ladas
Ioannis D
ID
1st Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School of Athens University, Athens, Greece.
Karagiannis
Dimitrios A
DA
Rouvas
Alexandros A
AA
Kotsolis
Athanasios I
AI
Liotsou
Andromachi
A
Vergados
Ioannis
I
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D014822:Vitreous Body
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab