Ocular adverse events following intravitreal brolucizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration at a single tertiary care center.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of ocular adverse effects (AEs) following brolucizumab injection for neovascular age-related macular degeneration at a tertiary academic institution.

DESIGN

Retrospective, single center cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients who received an intravitreal injection of brolucizumab 6 mg for neovascular age-related macular degeneration between October 7, 2019 and July 31, 2020.

METHODS

Medical records of all patients who received brolucizumab 6 mg during the aforementioned time period were carefully reviewed and all ocular adverse effects after injection were charted.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of post-injection ocular AEs, including intraocular inflammation (IOI), and time to development of AEs after injection.

RESULTS

A total of 77 patients received brolucizumab 6 mg for a total of 115 administrations during the study period. There were 4 AEs (3.5%), including three cases of IOI (2.6%), one central retinal artery occlusion, and one retinal detachment. Two men and two women were affected.

CONCLUSION

Ocular AEs, including those leading to severe vision loss, may develop after intravitreal brolucizumab 6 mg. A careful discussion of benefits and risks to brolucizumab should be conducted with all patients.

PRECIS: In this first case series of ocular adverse effects after brolucizumab 6 mg injection at a single tertiary care center, the incidence of ocular adverse effects was 3.5%, including a 2.6% incidence of intraocular inflammation.