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Intravitreal medical therapy shows potential advantages over laser in ROP treatment, specialist says
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BUSAN, Korea — Bevacizumab treatment resulted in less myopia progression than laser treatment of retinopathy of prematurity in a small study, a clinician said here.
“The results suggest that the [bevacizumab] treatment may be beneficial in preventing the development of myopia,” Jost B. Jonas, MD, said at APAO/SOE 2012.
Other advantages of Avastin (bevacizumab, Genentech) treatment of ROP include using local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia and not destroying the peripheral retina by coagulation, Dr. Jonas said.
A prospective study by Dr. Jonas and colleagues examined 12 eyes of six children who received intravitreal bevacizumab and a control group of 20 eyes of 10 children who had previously undergone retinal argon laser therapy. They found that children who received bevacizumab treatment were significantly less myopic at 1-year follow-up.
“This small study is not able to say anything about the safety, but at least it may suggest that the Avastin treatment may have some advantages compared to laser treatment,” Dr. Jonas said.
- Disclosure: Dr. Jonas has no relevant financial disclosures.