Objective: To report the use of intravitreal (IVT) injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents (anti-VEGF) and its complications.
Material and method: The authors performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients treated with IVT injection of anti-VEGF between May 2006 and December 2010 at Chiang Mai University Hospital. Demographic data and complications were registered.
Results: The present study included 1,006 eyes of 878 patients. Mean age was 60 years (range 1 month to 91 years). Mean follow-up time was 12 months (range 1 month to 54 months). Total injections were 2,077 given as 47, 210, 399, 575, and 846 injection per year between 2006 and 2010, respectively. Anti-VEGF agents were bevacizumab (1,878; 90.42%), ranibizumab (190; 9.15%), and pegaptanib (9; 0.43%). Indications for injection based on primary diagnosis were neovascular macular degeneration (38.5%), diabetic retinopathy (38%), and retinal vein occlusion (15.9%). The incidence of endophthalmitis was 0.048% (1/2,077) for all injections and 0.053% (1/1878)for bevacizumab.
Conclusion: The use of IVT injections of anti-VEGF is increasing, especially the use of bevacizumab. Incidence of ocular and systemic complications after IVT injection of anti- VEGF was low with no significant difference among the three anti-VEGFs agents.