EFFECTIVENESS OF INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB (AVASTIN) IN THE TREATMENT OF PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin) in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.Study Design: Quasi experimental study.Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the department of ophthalmology, Jinnah post graduate medical centre, Karachi from 26th January 2011 to 26th January 2012.Material and Methods: The study group comprised of 55 eyes of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Pre procedure fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) was done in all patients. Intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg of bevacizumab (avastin) was injected 3.5 mm from the limbus under topical anesthetic drops. Post procedure follow up was scheduled on 1st post procedure day, two weeks and after one month. Post procedure FFA was performed on all patients at 1st month after 1st injection. Results were entered and analyzed using SPSS Version 17.Results: Out of the 55 eyes of 41 patients who were given the intravitreal injection of avastin (bevacizumab), 42 eyes (72.17%) showed complete regression of neovascularisation, 12 eyes (21.8%) had partial regression and 3 eyes (5.5%) revealed no response. Conclusion: Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (avastin) is effective in regressing the retinal neovascularisation in controlled and uncontrolled diabetics of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients.