J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2020 Oct;61(10):1164-1168. 10.3341/jkos.2020.61.10.1164.

Safety Evaluation of Bilateral Same-day Intravitreal Injections of Bevacizumab

• Jang KH
• Ahn JY
• Sohn JH
• Hwang DDJ

• KMID: 2511247
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2020.61.10.1164

Abstract

Purpose
To evaluate the short-term ophthalmic side effects of bilateral same-day intravitreal bevacizumab injections.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent intravitreal bevacizumab injection in both eyes on the same day from January 2015 to June 2019. The patients were followed up at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after the injection.
Results
A total of 281 patients (153 males and 128 females) and 562 eyes were included in the study, and 950 bilateral same-day intravitreal bevacizumab injections were performed. The mean age of patients was 58.87 ± 13.44 years. The most common cause of bilateral injection was that of complications due to diabetic retinopathy, which accounted for 66.3%, followed by age-related macular degeneration at 22.2%, retinal vein occlusion at 5.1%, and central serious chorioretinopathy at 2.1%. There were 0 cases of endophthalmitis after 950 injections, 13 cases of subconjunctival hemorrhage, and 17 patients with a temporary elevation of intraocular pressure. There were 11 patients with acute intraocular inflammation after bilateral injection, but none in both eyes. Patients with acute intraocular inflammation were followed up at short-term intervals until they improved. All patients showed complete improvement within 2 weeks after injection. Comparing the patients’ condition before and after injection, visual acuity improved (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
In terms of the frequency of short-term ophthalmic adverse events, bilateral same-day intravitreal bevacizumab injection is a safe procedure with fewer side effects and is more convenient for both the patient and the doctor.

Keyword

Acute intraocular inflammation; Bevacizumab; Endophthalmitis; Safety