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Intravitreal bevacizumab in active progressive proliferative diabetic retinopathy

  • Retinal Disorders
  • Published:
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Abstract

Background

Vitreous concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) rises significantly during proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a humanized monoclonal antibody to VEGF. Intravitreal administration of bevacizumab (IVB) has recently been shown to be effective in some ocular neovascularizations, including PDR. In this study we evaluate the efficacy of IVB in eyes with active, progressive PDR.

Methods

In an interventional prospective case series, eyes with active, progressive PDR underwent one to three IVB injections (1.25 mg) at intervals of either 6 or 12 weeks. Complete ophthalmic examinations and color fundus photography were performed at baseline and 1, 6, 12, and 20 weeks after the first injection. Fluorescein angiography (FA) was performed before injection and 20 weeks after. The primary outcome measures were clearing of vitreous hemorrhage (VH) and regression of active fibrovascular tissue (FVT). The secondary outcomes were any change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and any incidence of adverse events.

Results

Thirty eight eyes of 38 patients with a mean age of 54.7 ± 10.1 years were included in the study. VH resolved significantly after 1 week (P = 0.014), 12 weeks (P = 0.0001), and 20 weeks (P = 0.002). The vascular component of FVT regressed, though the FVT area did not change. Mean BCVA improved significantly compared to baseline at all follow-up examinations. Two cases showing moderate fibrous proliferation developed traction retinal detachment (TRD).

Conclusions

IVB has significant therapeutic effect on eyes with active, progressive PDR: the treatment causes a significant amount of VH resolution and neovessel regression. At the same time, this procedure may increase the risk of TRD in eyes with fibrous proliferation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ophthalmic Research Center, Labbafinejad Medical Center, Shahid Beheshti University MC, Tehran, Iran

    Siamak Moradian, Hamid Ahmadieh, Mohsen Malihi, Masoud Soheilian, Mohammad Hossein Dehghan & Mohsen Azarmina

  2. Labbafinejad Medical Center, Pasdaran Ave. Boostan 9 St., Tehran, 16666, Iran

    Siamak Moradian

Authors
  1. Siamak Moradian
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  2. Hamid Ahmadieh
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  3. Mohsen Malihi
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  4. Masoud Soheilian
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  5. Mohammad Hossein Dehghan
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  6. Mohsen Azarmina
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Correspondence to Siamak Moradian.

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The authors have no proprietary interest in this study.

The authors have full control of all primary data, and they agree to allow Graefes Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology to review their data upon request.

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Moradian, S., Ahmadieh, H., Malihi, M. et al. Intravitreal bevacizumab in active progressive proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 246, 1699–1705 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-008-0914-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-008-0914-4

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