Intravitreal bevacizumab in combination with laser therapy for the treatment of severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) associated with vitreous or retinal hemorrhage

Abstract

To evaluate outcomes of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for the treatment of severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) associated with vitreous or retinal hemorrhages (VH or RH). This is a prospective interventional case-series. Fourteen eyes of eight premature infants with severe ROP associated with vitreous or retinal hemorrhage were consecutively included. In eight eyes, VH and/or RH precluding complete laser ablation developed at the time of laser treatment. In six eyes, VH developed early after laser ablation. All participants underwent intravitreal injection of 0.625 mg (0.025 ml) bevacizumab immediately after diagnosis of VH or RH. Follow-up examinations were performed at days 1, 3, 7, and 14, and 1, 2 and 3 months after injection. Main outcome measure was the absence of unfavorable structural outcomes. Mean gestational age was 27.6 weeks (range, 26-29 weeks) and mean birth weight was 1047 g (range, 780-1500 g). Mean gestational age at the time of injection was 35.4 weeks (range, 32-38 weeks). In all eyes, plus disease disappeared completely within 2 weeks and VH and/or RH was absorbed at last follow-up. None of the eyes developed unfavorable structural outcomes. No eyes needed additional injection or laser treatment. No major systemic or ocular complications were observed. In this small series of patients, intravitreal injection of bevacizumab was effective for treatment of severe retinopathy of prematurity associated with vitreous or retinal hemorrhage.