Does intravitreal injections of bevacizumab for age-related macular degeneration affect long-term intraocular pressure?

J Glaucoma. 2014 Sep;23(7):446-8. doi: 10.1097/IJG.0b013e3182946505.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) changes after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for age-related macular degeneration.

Patients and methods: A total of 83 eyes that received intravitreal injections of bevacizumab for age-related macular degeneration were enrolled. IOP measurements at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, and at the last follow-up after injection were analyzed. On the basis of the median number of injections, the changes in IOP were compared.

Results: The mean number of injections was 3.71±1.62. There was no significantly higher elevation than baseline IOP (14.11±2.76 mm Hg) after multiple intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (P>0.05). In the group which had ≥4 injections, mean IOP measurements were not higher compared with the group which had <4 injections during the follow-up period (P>0.05). In the patients with preexisting glaucoma (3 eyes), there were no significant increases of IOP during the follow-up period.

Conclusions: IOP elevation was not observed during the long-term follow-up period. In addition, the numbers of injection and preexisting glaucoma did not affect IOP changes.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Bevacizumab
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure / drug effects*
  • Intraocular Pressure / physiology
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Macular Degeneration / drug therapy*
  • Macular Degeneration / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tonometry, Ocular
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Bevacizumab