Published online Sep 9, 2023. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v12.i4.220
Peer-review started: May 5, 2023
First decision: June 19, 2023
Revised: June 26, 2023
Accepted: July 7, 2023
Article in press: July 7, 2023
Published online: September 9, 2023
Processing time: 123 Days and 16.3 Hours
Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (IVA) injection is known to cause contraction of fibrovascular proliferation (FVP), when present in severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
To assess the structural outcomes of IVA injection in the treatment of severe posterior ROP with significant FVP.
It was a retrospective study in which 36 eyes of 18 preterm babies who developed > 4 clock hours of FVP in zone I or posterior zone II, were treated with either intravitreal 0.625 mg bevacizumab or intravitreal 0.2 mg of ranibizumab. Favorable structural outcome included resolution of plus disease and FVP without the development of tractional retinal detachment. Secondary outcome measure included either full retinal maturation at follow-up or development of recurrent disease requiring additional treatment. Adverse outcomes included progression to retinal detachment.
The mean gestational age of the 18 preterm babies was 30 wk (range 27-36), and mean birth weight was 1319 g (range 650-1980 g). Mean post-menstrual age (PMA) at the time of primary treatment was 35.5 wk (range 31-41 wk). All eyes showed regression of plus disease and FVP. 5 eyes of 3 babies showed reac
There was good resolution of severe posterior ROP with FVP with IVA, with retinal maturity of 44% at 5 year follow-up and a reactivation rate of 13.8%. When the IVA injection is given prior to 37 wk PMA, while disease is in phase 2, it is less likely to cause contracture of pre-existing FVP.
Core Tip: This is a retrospective study to evaluate if anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection could cause contraction of preexisting fibrovascular proliferation when present in severe retinopathy of prematurity.