Incidence and management of acute endophthalmitis after intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) injection.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to report the incidence and management of acute endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of Avastin (bevacizumab), and visual acuity outcomes of three eyes of three patients who developed acute endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection of Avastin.

METHODS: This clinical retrospective, non-comparative study included 3022 intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg bevacizumab consecutively performed for 1822 eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration and other retinal diseases. Of 3022 injections, 1200 were reinjections. After clinical appearance of post-injection endophthalmitis, immediate intervention was performed, including injection of intravitreal antibiotics and early pars plana vitrectomy.

RESULTS: Three eyes of three patients with acute postoperative endophthalmitis were identified in the first week following intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg bevacizumab. Among of these patients, two cases were culture-positive and one case was culture-negative. Compared with presenting visual acuities, all of three patients improved at the end of follow-up time. The overall incidence rate of post-injection culture-proven endophthalmitis was 0.066%.

DISCUSSION: Acute culture-proven endophthalmitis is still a potential complication of intravitreal bevacizumab injection (approximately 0.066%) despite using maximal sterile techniques. Acute post-injection endophthalmitis following intravitreal bevacizumab occurs rapidly and can result in severe loss of vision. Prompt recognition and treatment are key in maximizing outcomes in patients who developed endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.