Refractive errors among infants with retinopathy of prematurity who received intravitreal bevacizumab

Abstract EN

Aim : to explore the frequency and type of refractive error in eyes that received intravitreal bevacizumab injection for treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to compare the results with eyes which received intravitreal bevacizumab combined with laser photocoagulation.

methods : a prospective study conducted at the ophthalmology clinic of Queen Rania al Abdullah hospital for children between Jan.

2019 and Oct.

2019.

all premature infants who were diagnosed to have severe forms of retinopathy of prematurity and met the threshold to receive intravitreal bevacizumab alone (group a) or intravitreal bevacizumab combined with laser photocoagulation (group b).

all patients underwent refraction under cycloplegic effect and the axial length was measured using ultrasound as well.

in addition, birth weight, gestational age and result of refraction were recorded.

the results of the two groups were compared.

all data were analyzed and compared to that obtained in other studies conducted worldwide.

results : 41 patients (56 eyes) were enrolled in the study; 36 eyes received a single intravitreal bevacizumab of 0.625 mg and 20 eyes received intravitreal bevacizumab combined with laser photocoagulation of the peripheral retina.

the frequency of myopia and high myopia was 36% and 8% in group a and 75% and 40% in group b respectively.

the axial lengths of both groups were comparable.

conclusion : in patients with retinopathy of prematurity myopia and high myopia were significantly more frequent in eyes receiving combined intravitreal bevacizumab and laser photocoagulation than in eyes receiving intravitreal bevacizumab alone which was not related to the axial length.