Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin®) injection for neovascular glaucoma: a survey on 23 cases throughout 12-month follow-up

摘要

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT class="unordered" style="list-style-type:disc">Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a form of secondary glaucoma in which fibrovascular tissue grows, leading to progressive angle closure with elevation of intraocular pressure.NVG is poorly responsive to the conventional treatment and has a poor visual prognosis.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS class="unordered" style="list-style-type:disc">The present study, performed in 23 patients (26 eyes), shows that three intravitreal injections of bevacizumab scheduled at 4-week intervals are able to result in significant regression of neovascularization, with best response achieved after the third injection.Our study suggests that bevacizumab is effective in rapidly controlling neovascularization and in preventing angle closure.Improvements are demonstrated to last at 12 months, and additional interest comes from the lack of any significant adverse effects.AIMSNeovascular glaucoma (NVG) represents one of the most severe forms of secondary glaucoma, caused by a number of ocular and systemic conditions, which share the common element of retinal ischaemia/hypoxia that initiates the subsequent release of angiogenesis factors, with consequent development of new abnormal vessels through the ciliary body. The aim was to examine the potential efficacy and safety of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (IVB) (Avastin®) in the treatment of NVG in patients who had already undergone the standard retinal ablative procedure.