Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine if Macugen will quiet VEGF activity in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This was done with a limited IND.
Methods: :
3 eyes of children less than 36 weeks postmenstrual age with bilateral severe posterior ROP or vascularly active eyes following laser therapy had one eye treated with a Macugen injection one week apart. The fellow eye served as a control.
Results: :
All 3 eyes showed quieting of the vascular activity. In eyes that developed retinal detachment, vitrectomy was possible in vascularly quiet eyes.
Conclusions: :
Macugen can reduce vascular activity in ROP and although retinal detachment can still occur, the vascularly quiet eye allows early and potentially more successful vitrectomy. Injection techniques, bolus and dose, timing and regression pattern will be presented.