Therapeutic effect of bevacizumab injected into the silicone oil in eyes with neovascular glaucoma after vitrectomy for advanced diabetic retinopathy

Purpose To evaluate the effect of intra-silicone injection of bevacizumab for the treatment of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) after vitrectomy for advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Methods Bevacizumab was injected into the silicone oil in five pseudophakic eyes of five patients with NVG. The iris neovascularization (INV) and NVG had developed 1.5-4 months after vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade. The main outcome measures were regression of INV, intraocular pressure and visual acuity. Results In all eyes, INV regressed and intraocular pressure was controlled within 7 days. Visual acuity improved in all eyes. In one patient, INV and NVG recurred 10 weeks after the injection and was successfully treated with a repeat intra-silicone bevacizumab injection. Conclusion Intra-silicone injection of bevacizumab is effective in the treatment of patients with INV and NVG after vitrectomy for advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Eye (2010) 24, 717-719; doi: 10.1038/eye.2009.94; published online 1 May 2009