Analysis focuses on IOP-lowering measures after intravitreal injections
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
NEW YORK — Anterior chamber paracentesis may be an effective option to reduce IOP spikes after intravitreal injections and preserve retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, according to a study.
“There is no consensus amongst retina specialists regarding the use of IOP-lowering measures in patients undergoing anti-VEGF treatment,” Parnian Arjmand, MD, MSc, FRCSC, said at the American Society of Retina Specialists annual meeting. “The objective of this study was to assess the role of IOP-lowering measures such as anterior chamber paracentesis and glaucoma medications in patients undergoing anti-VEGF treatments.”
Arjmand and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis that included 21 studies found through Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library. Each study measured the efficacy of an IOP-lowering intervention in patients undergoing anti-VEGF intravitreal injections compared with a control group that did not undergo intervention. Reduction of intermediate and long-term IOP elevations and changes in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, best corrected visual acuity and visual field outcomes were evaluated.
Anterior chamber paracentesis significantly reduced IOP at 2 minutes and preserved RNFL thickness relative to the control group at 17.5 months.
IOP-lowering medications given on the day of injection reduced IOP for up to 30 minutes but did not result in long-term changes to RNFL thickness or visual fields.
“In this meta-analysis, we report that anterior chamber paracentesis lowers the IOP immediately following intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF and preserves the retinal nerve fiber layer and thickness up to 17.5 months following the injection.” Arjmand said. “And as well, IOP-lowering medications on the day of [intravitreal injection] lowered the IOP for up to half an hour following an injection compared to the control group. There’s no benefit for long-term use of drugs.”
Collapse
Arjmand P, et al. Prophylactic intraocular pressure lowering measures in anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy: a meta-analysis of 2473 patients. Presented at: American Society of Retina Specialists annual meeting; July 13-16, 2022; New York.
Read more about
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts