Intravitreal Bevacizumab: Growing indication and our experience at a tertiary care Northern Indian eye hospital

Dr Subijay Sinha, Dr Pradeep Venkatesh, Dr Sat Pal Garg, Dr Karandeep Rishi

AIIMS, New Delhi

Purpose: Evaluation of efficacy and safety of Intravitreal Bevacizumab (IVBe) in various ocular conditions.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 1000 eyes that received IVBe over a period of one year from Jan 2009 to Mar 2010. Indication, efficacy and complications if any were recorded. Each patient received 1.25mg/0.05ml from a single ampoule prepared from 4 ml vials at our pharmacy.

Results: Choroidal neovascular membrane due to various causes (wet AMD, inflammatory) (38%) was the most common indication. Other causes included vascular occlusions (14%), DME (16%), PDR (24%) and NVG (6%). Repeat injections were given in 55% eyes. IVBe enabled in stabilization of vision in majority of the eyes. Infective endophthalmitis occurred in 3 eyes and TASS like sterile endophthalmitis occurred in 8 eyes.

Conclusion: IVBe though being an off label drug is proving to be a great and cost effective treatment modality in various ocular disorders and is definitely here to stay for a long time.