Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the effect of intravitreal bevazicumab in patients with neovascular age–related macular degeneration (AMD) on anterior chamber inflammatory activity.
Methods: :
38 consecutive patients were examined before, one day and one week after intravitreal administration of 0,04 mg bevacizumab for neovascular AMD. The intravitreal injection was performed under sterile conditions in an operating theatre. The anterior chamber inflammatory activity was evaluated using biomicroscopy and laser flare metry (Kowa FM–500).
Results: :
None of the 38 consecutive patients showed a significant, clinically detectable inflammatory response within 1 week follow–up. Anterior chamber inflammatory activity measured by laser flare metry ranged from 1,8 to 57,2 counts/ms before treatment (mean 10,7 ±; 11,2). One day and one week after injection values were between 2,2 and 30,0 counts/ms (mean 8,9 ±; 6,5) and between 2,0 and 23,6 counts/ms (mean 7,8 ±; 5,5). So far no case of endophthalmitis was observed. The mean relative change of flare was –16,8% by day 1 and –27,1% by week 1.
Conclusions: :
No inflammatory response was detected clinically and by laser flare metry following intravitreal bevacizumab. The slight reduction in anterior chamber flare could be due to the known anti–inflammtory effect of anti–VEGF therapy.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • ocular irritancy/toxicity testing • anterior chamber