Endophtalmitis Following Intravitreal Injection of Anti VEGF Therapy : A Multicentric Study

Abstract

Purpose: : To identify the incidence of endophthalmitis after intravitreal anti VEGF injections (Bevacizumab) and report the clinical outcomes in our practice.

Methods: : Retrospective multicentric analysis of 6040 intravitreal anti VEGF injections (Bevacizumab - Avastin) applied from July 2005 through July 2009 in several Argentinian Ophthalmologic Centres. 5418 (89,7%) of the applications were performed in operating rooms under strict antiseptic conditions and 622 (10,3%) of the injections were made in a physician's office, also following the same strict measures.

Results: : Endophthalmitis developed in 2 of the 6040 eyes (0.03%) after anti VEGF pars plana injections.In every case, signs and symptoms of endophthalmitis appeared within 2 days from the injection, and both patients had received the anti VEGF injection in operating rooms. The microorganisms recovered were staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococcus.

Conclusions: : AntiVEGF applied via pars plana, whether made in operating rooms or in physicians office is a safe procedure for treating several retinal diseases.

Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • endophthalmitis • injection