Effects of intravitreal bevacizumab and laser in retinopathy of prematurity therapy on the development of peripheral retinal vessels.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate laser photocoagulation and intravitreal bevacizumab efficacy and safety in patients with moderate-to-severe stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and to evaluate the effects of treatment on the development of peripheral retinal vessels.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of 15 premature babies, all of whom were diagnosed with stage 3 ROP, was conducted. Patients with moderate-to-severe stage 3 ROP, thus with a vascular-active ROP, received intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (0.5 mg/0.02 ml) and laser photocoagulation, whereas those with relatively inactive ROP received laser photocoagulation only. Patients were examined 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after treatment, or until peripheral retinal vessel growth over the laser scar was noted.


RESULTS
Both eyes of 15 patients diagnosed with moderate-to-severe stage 3 ROP were evaluated. Eight patients (n=16 eyes) received intravitreal bevacizumab injection and laser photocoagulation, and seven patients (n=14 eyes) received laser photocoagulation only. During the follow-up period, regression of plus disease and peripheral retinal vessel development appeared significantly more rapidly in patients who received both intravitreal bevacizumab injection and laser photocoagulation. Peripheral retinal vessel development over the laser scar was identified 1-2 weeks after treatment. No systemic or significant ocular complications, such as vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, or endophthalmitis, were noted during follow-up after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
A combination of laser photocoagulation and intravitreal bevacizumab injection seems to be a safe and effective therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe stage 3 ROP, promulgating rapid development of peripheral retinal vessels.
Lee
Joo Yong
JY
Department of Ophthalmology, Asan Medical Center,University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 388-1 Pungnap-2dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Korea.
Chae
Ju Byung
JB
Yang
Sung Jae
SJ
Yoon
Young Hee
YH
Kim
June-Gone
JG
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D001724:Birth Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007267:Injections; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000502:physiology*; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014822:Vitreous Body
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab
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