title: Vitreous inflammation associated with intravitreal anti-VEGF pharmacotherapy.
abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent promoter of angiogenesis involved in a wide variety of physiologic processes. Intravitreal injections targeting VEGF have transformed the treatment of neovascular retinal diseases. Currently, there are four anti-VEGF agents in use: bevacizumab, ranibizumab, pegaptanib, and aflibercept. The success and frequency of anti-VEGF therapy have made the ocular safety profile of these agents of vital importance. This paper focuses on sterile endophthalmitis. In this paper, we compare the incidences of posttreatment sterile endophthalmitis among the four agents, review the mechanism of actions, and discuss the most prevalent hypotheses leading to sterile endophthalmitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, AZ 85711, USA.
authors.forename: Shivi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: Malav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Christoforidis
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000009:adverse effects; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012306:Risk; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C533178:aflibercept; C495058:pegaptanib; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D000069579:Ranibizumab