title: Characterization of sterile intraocular inflammatory responses after intravitreal bevacizumab injection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and characteristics of sterile intraocular inflammation occurring after intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) (Avastin, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) injection and to analyze whether a repeat IVB or intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) (Lucentis, Genentech) injection after an episode of postinjection inflammation elicits a repeat inflammatory reaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective case series evaluated 16,166 IVB injections administered between 2006 and 2008. Patients with postinjection inflammation were analyzed for the number of previous injections, time from prior injection to incident injection, presenting signs and symptoms, treatment, visual acuity, time from onset to resolution and recovery of vision, and whether repeat injection caused recurrent inflammation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of sterile intraocular inflammation after IVB injection resolving with topical antibiotics and steroids alone was 0.27% (44 of 16,166). The average number of prior IVB injections in the ipsilateral eye was 2.8 ± 0.4 with 10 cases occurring with first-time injections. The average time from injection to recovery of visual acuity was 53 ± 18 days, and from injection to resolution of inflammation was 37 ± 5 days. Thirty-six cases received subsequent IVB or intravitreal ranibizumab, and there were three episodes of recurrent inflammation with repeat IVB. The average follow-up was 17 ± 1 month.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In most cases of sterile intraocular inflammation after IVB, visual acuity returned to baseline, and intraocular inflammation rarely recurred with repeat IVB or intravitreal ranibizumab.
authors.affiliation: Texas Retina Associates, Arlington, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah Y
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Rajiv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anand
authors.forename: Patrick D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Jawad A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Qureshi
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Callanan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D020127:Recovery of Function; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab