Abstract
Purpose::
To determine if Ranibizumab (Lucentis) injections cause adverse intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes in patients with and without glaucoma.
Methods::
25 intravitreal injections of Ranibizumab (0.05ml) were given to patients with wet AMD: 7 of the eyes had glaucoma, while 18 did not have glaucoma. 96% of patients received prophylactic IOP lowering medications one hour prior to the Ranibizumab injection. IOP was taken within one minute of injection and every 5 - 10 minutes until the pressure was reduced to a safe level. Vision was evaluated immediately following injection.
Results::
Mean pre-injection lOP was 12 ± 2 mmHg in patients with glaucoma and 13 ± 3 in patients without glaucoma. The mean IOP immediately post-injection respectively was 38 ± 15 mmHg and 37 ± 10mmHg, at 3-10 minutes was 33 ± 11 mmHg and 28 ±10mmHg, at 11-20 minutes was 23 ± 9 and 24 ± 13, and at 21-30 minutes post-injection was 18 ± 1 and 14 ± 6 respectively. On the subsequent visit the IOP had normalized.
Conclusions::
Ranibizumab injections result in a significant transient rise in IOP that may be damaging to the optic nerve, particularly in patients with advanced glaucoma.
Keywords: intraocular pressure • injection • drug toxicity/drug effects