A lower dose of intravitreal bevacizumab effectively treats retinopathy of prematurity

J AAPOS. 2016 Dec;20(6):490-492. doi: 10.1016/j.jaapos.2016.09.012. Epub 2016 Oct 26.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether a low dose (0.25 mg/0.01 mL) of intravitreal bevacizumab is effective in the treatment of type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Methods: This prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series included all consecutive infants who received 0.25 mg/0.01 mL of intravitreal bevacizumab for type 1 ROP. Infants were followed for ROP persistence/recurrence until 90 weeks' postmenstrual age.

Results: A total of 49 eyes of 25 infants (24 bilateral and 1 unilateral) underwent intravitreal injection of a reduced dose (0.25 mg/0.01 mL) of intravitreal bevacizumab. ROP regressed in all eyes. Follow-up continued until 90 weeks' postmenstrual age and showed no recurrences of plus disease or neovascularization.

Conclusions: All eyes treated with 0.25mg/0.01ml intravitreal bevacizumab showed complete regression, with no recurrence of plus disease or neovascularization. No safety issues were attributable to bevacizumab during the study period.

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Bevacizumab / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity / drug therapy*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Substances

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