A Spectrum of Regression Following Intravitreal Bevacizumab in Retinopathy of Prematurity

Abstract

To describe an improved understanding of the regression patterns following off-label intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Retrospective cohort study. All infants treated with IVB for type 1 ROP at a single institution from June 2013 to March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed and the amount of retinal nonperfusion on fluorescein angiogram was calculated. In the 92 eyes of 46 patients analyzed, only 3 eyes (3.3%) reached full vascular maturity. Of the 89 eyes not reaching maturity, 39 eyes (43.8%) had vascular arrest alone (VAA), 34 eyes (38.2%) had vascular arrest with persistent tortuosity (VAT), and 16 eyes (18.0%) had ROP reactivation. Those eyes that reactivated were more likely to be initially classified as having aggressive posterior ROP (P= .004) and of Asian ethnicity (P= .008). There were greater areas of ischemia in eyes with reactivation as compared to VAT and VAA (112.1mm2 vs 72.5mm2 vs 56.6mm2, respectively, P= .007). Younger gestational age at birth was found to be an independent predictor of persistent tortuosity (VAT vs VAA) in a logistic regression model. Incomplete vascularization following IVB is very common and is associated with a younger gestational age at birth, Asian ethnicity, and aggressive posterior ROP. The presence of tortuosity following IVB may be indicative of persistently elevated vascular endothelial growth factor levels and an early indicator of potential reactivation.