Rescue Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) for Aggressive Posterior Retinopathy of Prematurity

Abstract

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity is an important cause of childhood blindness. Zone 1 disease is known to have a high risk of progression to an unfavorable visual outcome.

Methods: Retrospective case review.

Results: We present two cases of aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (A-P ROP) treated with initial laser photocoagulation and then with bevacizumab (Avastin) when the disease remained active.

Conclusion: We hypothesize that laser to the avascular retina had down regulated VEGF production but VEGF in the vitreous had continued to stimulate new vessel disease.

Keywords::

• retinopathy
• prematurity
• VEGF
• bevacizumab

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.