Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: To report the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab (avastin) as an adjunctive treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Objectives and methods: Thirteen patients (13 eyes) with PDR underwent an intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg of bevacizumab. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, anterior segment or fundus photographs at baseline and after bevacizumab injection.

Results: Eleven patients (84%) showed complete regression of anterior segment retinal, and/or optic disc neovascularisation between 1 and 3 weeks after injection. Treatment was well tolerated and no complications were observed.

Discussion: Short-term results suggest that intravitreally administrated bevacizumab (avastin) for PDR is effective and safe.

Conclusion: Further studies are required to better assess the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab as adjunctive treatment of PDR.