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Anti-VEGF injection stalls diabetic retinopathy, maculopathy after cataract surgery
J Cataract Refract Surg. 2009;35(1):18-25.
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Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab during cataract surgery halted the progression of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic maculopathy.
Pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic maculopathy was attributed to increased levels of VEGF related to surgical trauma and inflammation.
The prospective, randomized study included 68 patients with cataract and diabetic retinopathy. The study group constituted 35 patients who received an injection of 1.25 mg Avastin (bevacizumab, Genentech) at the end of cataract surgery. The control group included 33 patients who did not receive injections.
All 68 patients underwent phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. Full postoperative ophthalmic examinations were performed at 1 day, 1, 2 and 4 weeks, and monthly for 6 months.
Data showed diabetic retinopathy progressing in 45.45% of eyes in the control group and 11.42% of eyes in the study group. Diabetic maculopathy progressed in 51.51% of control group eyes and 5.71% of study group eyes. The differences between groups were statistically significant (P = .002 and P = .0001, respectively).
“Further long-term studies are recommended to realize the full potential of this therapy in diabetic patients having cataract surgery,” the study said.