Treatment of type 1 retinopathy of prematurity with intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report a noncomparative consecutive case series of eyes with type 1 retinopathy of prematurity treated only with intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin).

METHODS

Twelve consecutive eyes of 7 premature infants, with type 1 retinopathy of prematurity as stated in the Results of the Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity Randomized Trial, were treated with only one intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (0.625 mg). RetCam pictures were used to document the cases.

RESULTS

Nine eyes had zone I and 3 eyes had zone II retinopathy of prematurity. The infants weighed between 600 and 1,100 grams (mean, 846.57 g). The gestational age ranged from 23 weeks to 28 weeks (mean, 25.57 weeks). All eyes showed regression of the disease with no additional treatment needed.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal bevacizumab is a useful therapy for type 1 retinopathy of prematurity. However, additional studies are needed to define the role of Avastin as the first-line therapy, in combination, or after the failure of laser photocoagulation.