Low dose versus conventional dose of intravitreal bevacizumab injection for retinopathy of prematurity: a case series with paired-eye comparison

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection, with different dosing (0.25 mg/0.01 ml versus 0.625 mg/0.025 ml) in each eye of the same patient with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

METHODS: Intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) was injected into eight patients with stage 3+ in zone I or posterior zone II ROP (16 eyes). Bevacizumab, with different dosing (0.25 mg/0.01 ml and 0.625 mg/0.025 ml), was injected into the vitreous cavity of each eye.

RESULTS: Among the 16 eyes treated with IVB, six eyes had zone I ROP and 10 eyes had zone II ROP. The mean birthweight was 800 ± 139 g (range, 533-955 g), and the mean gestational age was 25.9 ± 1.2 gestational weeks (range, 24.4-28.7 weeks). The postmenstrual age at initial treatment was 37.2 gestational weeks (range, 33.7-41 weeks). The mean follow-up was 312 ± 50 days (median, 305 days; range, 238-376 days). All eyes showed regression of plus sign after IVB injection within 1 week and revascularization to the ora serrata at the time of final visit. There was no difference in the time of anatomical achievement between the eyes with different doses. None of the patients received any additional IVB injection or laser photocoagulation. After the regression of ROP, tractional retinal detachment and macular ectopia were not observed in any patients during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the short-term clinical outcomes of stage 3+ ROP in zone I or II between the eyes with low dose and conventional dose of IVB.