Korean J Ophthalmol.  2011 Aug;25(4):282-284. 10.3341/kjo.2011.25.4.282.

Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) as an Adjuvant for the Treatment of Posterior Scleritis

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea. jiwoneye@hallym.or.kr
  • 2Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

We report a case of posterior scleritis effectively managed with intravitreal bevacizumab. A 71-year-old woman was diagnosed with posterior scleritis. Although she was initially treated with systemic steroids, her clinical presentation deteriorated. She was then treated with a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab and aqueous humor collection. The aqueous level of vascular endothelial growth factor prior to the intravitreal injection was 880.51 pg/mL, greater than that in the healthy control group (p < 0.001). One month later, the scleritis was completely resolved, and the patient remained stable during six months of follow-up. Intravitreal bevacizumab appears to be an effective adjuvant therapy for patients with posterior scleritis.

Keyword

Bevacizumab; Posterior scleritis; Vascular endothelial growth factor

MeSH Terms

Aged
Angiogenesis Inhibitors/administration & dosage
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/*administration & dosage
Aqueous Humor/metabolism
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Fluorescein Angiography
Follow-Up Studies
Fundus Oculi
Humans
Interleukin-8/metabolism
Intravitreal Injections
Microscopy, Acoustic
Scleritis/*drug therapy/metabolism/pathology
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism

Figure

  • Fig. 1 (A) Fundus photography at initial presentation demonstrates serous detachment and vitreous haziness in the right eye. (B) Mid-phase fundus fluorescein angiography demonstrates disc and vascular leakage involving the macula. (C) B-mode ultrasound scan demonstrating diffuse thickening of the posterior coatings of the eye (1.9 mm) together with fluid in the Tenon capsule and the nerve sheath. (D) Fundus photography one month post-intravitreal bevacizumab injection, demonstrating resolved posterior scleritis.


Reference

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