title: Combine intravitreal bevacizumab injection with laser treatment for aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (AP-ROP).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess a new method the "Combine Treatment" consisted of diode laser photocoagulation and intravitreal bevacizumab for treatment of AP-ROP.
  
  
  METHODS
  These retrospective and non-comparative case series study in twelve premature infants (7 Male, 5 Female) from ROP clinic with diagnosis of aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (AP-ROP) based on indirect ophthalmoscopic examination were included in the present study. The "Combine Treatment" consisted of one treatment session in which diode laser photocoagulation was applied in the avascular zone (anterior and posterior to the presumed ridge include vascular nets up to the clear retina) followed by intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab (Avastin). Fundus photographs were obtained before and after the treatment using a wide-field digital pediatric imaging system (RetCam).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-three eyes were treated with the "Combine Treatment". The rest were treated with only laser abrasion. All patients got favorable anatomical outcomes of all treated eyes. Proliferative tissue started regress 2 weeks after treatment and completed regress about 4.92 weeks (range; 3-7 weeks). There was neither progression of disease nor serious ocular or systemic complications. No further treatments were needed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present study, one session of the "Combine Treatment" leads to favorable anatomical outcomes for patients with AP-ROP. This new approach prevents aggressive progression and offers hope of good future vision to patients. The authors hope that this new approach will be another choice of treatment to prevent aggressive progression of the disease and gain good vision in the future.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, Bangkok, Thailand. benjaw26@hotmail.com
authors: Benjawan
authors: B
authors: Wutthiworawong
authors: Usa
authors: U
authors: Thitiratsanont
authors: Chairat
authors: C
authors: Saovaprut
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Subhangkasen
authors: Bungornrat
authors: B
authors: Geyuraphun
authors: Atchara
authors: A
authors: Ampornprut
authors: Jinda
authors: J
authors: Phumongkutchai
authors: Sunisa
authors: S
authors: Tephusdinnaayuthaya
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab