Vitreous changes after intravitreal bevacizumab monotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity: a case series.

PURPOSE: Reporting a special clinical finding after intravitreal bevacizumab monotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity.

METHODS: In a retrospective case series, the clinical courses of five premature infants with similar vitreous changes after a single dose of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection without additional laser therapy were reported.

RESULTS: The mean post-conceptional age at IVB injection was 39.8 ± 2.2 (range 37-43) weeks. Localized vitreous syneresis and linear fibrotic vitreous condensation occurred 8.2 ± 2.3 weeks after IVB monotherapy in our patients (15.5% of injections). The mean last post injection visit was 61.6 ± 5.3 weeks (post-conceptional age). Further regression and complete retinal vascularization occurred in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Thread-like vitreous condensation with localized vitreous liquefaction may be related to involutional ROP disease itself, combined to anti VEGF therapy and may be a predictor factor for further regression and retinal vascularization. The case series describes a successful response to anti-VEGF monotherapy with no further complications.