An Update on Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity

M Hossein Nowroozzadeh; Elham Sadeghi; Hossein Shahriari-Garaee; Mohammad Reza Badie; Javad Banihashemi; Sunir J Garg

doi:10.4103/joco.joco_38_23

An Update on Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity

J Curr Ophthalmol. 2023 Dec 21;35(2):125-134. doi: 10.4103/joco.joco_38_23. eCollection 2023 Apr-Jun.

Authors

M Hossein Nowroozzadeh¹, Elham Sadeghi², Hossein Shahriari-Garaee¹, Mohammad Reza Badie¹, Javad Banihashemi³, Sunir J Garg⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
² Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
³ College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
⁴ Mid Atlantic Retina, The Retina Service of Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Abstract

Purpose: To present updated information on the role of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy for treating retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Methods: We searched through PubMed and Scopus databases using the keywords of this article and gathered relevant published articles from the year 2005 to December 2022. The selected articles were classified and summarized, and reasonable conclusions were made accordingly.

Results: Considering the current evidence, anti-VEGF agents are superior to laser therapy for the initial treatment of type 1 ROP in zone 1 or posterior zone 2. However, there is a substantial risk of reactivation or persistent avascular retina after solo treatment with anti-VEGFs, and many cases may require laser therapy within the following weeks or months. Thus, vigilant follow-up examinations are mandatory.

Conclusions: The role of anti-VEGF agents in the treatment of ROP is indispensable. However, future studies are required to improve indications and dosage and determine long-term ocular and systemic safety.

Keywords: Aflibercept; Bevacizumab; Intravitreal; Ranibizumab; Retinopathy of prematurity; Vascular endothelial growth factor.

Publication types

Review