Retinal pigment epithelium tear after intravitreal bevacizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration

Am J Ophthalmol. 2006 Dec;142(6):1068-70. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2006.06.048.

Abstract

Purpose: To report on the development of retinal pigment epithelium tears after intravitreal injections of bevacizumab as treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Design: Interventional case series.

Methods: The study included 63 patients who received an intravitreal injection of 1.5 mg bevacizumab as treatment of a detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium attributable to AMD and who had a follow-up of at least two months.

Results: Four patients (6%) developed a tear of the retinal pigment epithelium in the parafoveal region. Compared with the baseline value, visual acuity at the end of follow-up remained stable in three patients and declined in the fourth patient.

Conclusions: Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab may be followed by a tear of the retinal pigment epithelium in eyes with exudative AMD and a retinal pigment epithelium detachment.

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Bevacizumab
  • Exudates and Transudates
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Humans
  • Injections
  • Macular Degeneration / drug therapy*
  • Pigment Epithelium of Eye / drug effects*
  • Pigment Epithelium of Eye / pathology
  • Retinal Perforations / chemically induced*
  • Retinal Perforations / diagnosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Visual Acuity
  • Vitreous Body

Substances

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