Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine if prophylactic use of IOP lowering medication is effective in reducing the IOP spikes after intravitreal injections of Pegaptanib (Macugen), Bevacizumab (Avastin), and Ranibizumab (Lucentis).
Methods: :
300 eyes with exudative AMD received intravitreal injections of one of three anti-VEGF medications: 100 eyes received Macugen (0.09 ml), 100 received Avastin (0.05ml), and 100 received Lucentis (0.05ml). IOP lowering medication, one hour prior to the injection, was used in 84 %, 56% and 68% times in eyes that received Macugen, Lucentis and Avastin respectively. IOP was measured prior to injection, within one minute after injection, and every 5-10 minutes until the pressure was reduced to a safe level. Vision was evaluated immediately following injection.
Results: :
All three injections caused significant initial IOP spikes. 71.42% of Macugen, 46 % of Avastin and 56 % of Lucentis patients had a post-injection IOP spike greater than 40 mmHg. The IOP reduced to less than 30 mmHg in all three groups within 20 minutes.Prophylactic medication did not prevent post-injection IOP spikes. There was no statistically significant IOP reduction except at 1 interval in each Macugen and Avastin group.
Keywords: intraocular pressure • retina