Effect of Primary Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection on Stage 3 Retinopathy of Prematurity with Plus Signs

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of primary intravitreal bevacizumab injection in stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity with plus signs. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of 30 eyes of 16 patients diagnosed with stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity with plus signs treated with primary intravitreal bevacizumab injection between March 1, 2011 and February 28, 2013 and followed up for at least 9 months. RESULTS: Mean gestational age was 26 + 4 weeks +/- 11 days and mean birth weight was 822 +/- 251.4 g. The locations of disease were zone II in 24 eyes and zone III in 6 eyes. Intravitreal bevacizumab injection was performed after the mean 1.3 +/- 1 day after plus signs were detected. Mean postconceptional age at treatment was 38 + 2 weeks +/- 16 days. Mean follow-up period was 16.6 +/- 6.9 months. Plus signs started to regress after the mean 4.6 +/- 2.3 days after injection and completely regressed after the mean 24.3 +/- 12.4 days. Cataract extraction was performed in 1 eye due to a cataract that appeared not associated with the injection procedure, but was regarded as a treatment failure. There were no local or systemic complications. CONCLUSIONS: Primary intravitreal bevacizumab injection in stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity with plus signs demonstrated excellent short-term efficacy and safety.