Effect of intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab on intraocular pressure in relation to different ocular axial lengths.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the effect of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab on intraocular pressure in relation to different ocular axial lengths

Study Design: A quasi-experimental study

Place and duration of study: Eye unit-III, Institute Of Ophthalmology, King Edward Medical University, Mayo Hospital Lahore. The study was conducted from October 2017 to March 2018.

Material and methods: A total of 100 patients who presented with wet AMD, diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusion related macular edema and having IOP <21 mm Hg without medication and eligible for their first intravitreal bevacizumab injection were included in the study. Axial length was measured preoperatively using ultrasound biometer. The same surgeon performed all intravitreal bevacizumab injections by using 30-gauge needles penetrating the inferotemporal pars plana at 3.5 mm from the limbus through the displaced conjunctiva. Intraocular pressure was measured in the clinostatic position before and immediately after the injection (within 1 min), and also 15 and 30 minutes later using Perkins Tonometer.

Results: Mean axial length measured was 22.60±1.64 mm. Before injection mean IOP was 15.57±2.24. After injection rise in IOP at 1, 15 and 30 minutes was 29.09±11.35, 20.79±4.22 and 18.14±3.01mmHg respectively. Strong inverse correlation was observed between axial length and IOP after injection at 1 (r: -0.596, p-value=0.000), 15 (r: -0.496, p-value=0.000) and 30 minutes(r: -0.482, p-value=0.000).

Conclusion: The results of this study showed a remarkable transient increase in IOP after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. A significant inverse correlation was observed between axial length and IOP after intravitreal injection showing a meaningful association between these two parameters.

Keywords: Intravitreal injection, Bevacizumab, Intraocular pressure, Ocular, Axial lengths