The intraocular pressure changes following intravitreal bevacizumab injections in an Indian population

Abstract

Aim: To assess the changes in Intraocular pressure (IOP) after intravitreal bevacizumab therapy. Design: Prospective, Observational, Tertiary care hospital based study. Participants: 95 patients receiving intravitreal bevacizumab, for varying indications, were included. Materials and Methods: A study of the change in intraocular pressure of 95 patient eyes receiving intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for varying indications was performed at 4hours, 2 weeks and 6 weeks post injection. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in IOP 4 hours post injection [p value= .000; 95% confidence limits of -2.07 to -1.11; mean difference of -1.59]. There was no statistical significance in IOP rise at 2 weeks (p= 0.32; 95 % confidence limits of -1.13 and 0.18; mean difference of -0.47) or at 6 weeks (p= 1.00; 95% confidence limits of -0.86 to 0.44; mean difference of -0.21). The endpoint IOP in the single injection and multiple injection groups was statistically insignificant (t=-0.32, df = 92, significance value=0.749, 95% confidence interval -1.48 to 1.07). Conclusion: Although a statistically significant short-term rise in IOP was observed, this increase was clinically insignificant. The IOP reverted towards baseline values on subsequent visits at 2 weeks and 6 weeks post-injection. The number of injections did not have any effect on the IOP change. Clinical significance: Our study evaluated the effect of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab on intraocular pressure in an Indian population and found no clinically significant rise in the same. Keywords: Bevacizumab, Intraocular pressure, VEGF-A.