Short-term intraocular pressure changes after intravitreal bevacizumab injection

Abstract

Intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGFs) have become more popular quickly in recent years. Bevacizumab is an anti- vascular endothelial growth factor agent (anti-VEGF) used to treat choroidal neovascularization and retinal vascular disorders. Rare long lasting ocular adverse events are reported in the intravitreal injection of this drug that include intraocular inflammation, retinal tears, vitreous hemorrhage, endophtalmitis, and lens changes. One important concern about intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drug is intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation. There are two kinds of IOP elevation. First one is an acute elevation of IOP (after few minutes) and the second is delayed IOP elevation (after few months). The prevalence of IOP elevation immediately after injection is significantly high and seems to have the potential risk for optic nerve fiber loss results in decreased vision but fortunately this IOP elevation seems to be transient in most of studies.