Bevacizumab appears beneficial for ROP in zone II

The results of this small study suggest that intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) may be appropriate for treating eyes with type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in zone II.

Four patients (eight eyes) with type 1 ROP were treated with IVB 0.25/eye injected into the vitreous cavity under either general anesthesia or sedation at post-menstrual ages of 33 to 37 weeks. Six eyes had ROP in zone II and two eyes (one patient) in zone I.

The three infants with ROP in zone II weighed between 476 and 652 g with gestational ages between 24 and 27 weeks at birth. The infant with ROP in zone I weighed 972 g with a gestational age of 26 weeks at birth.

The patients were observed until they reached between 1 ½ and 2 years of age. IVB was effective in all eyes with ROP in zone II, and additional treatment was not required. However, vitreous hemorrhage and a mature cataract were found at 19 weeks and eight months, respectively, after the initial IVB in the two eyes with ROP in zone I. These eyes required additional IVB, laser photocoagulation and surgery.

The authors note that due to the study’s small size, additional research is necessary to confirm its results.