Serial anti-VEGF injections could increase IOP

Administering serial antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections could lead to increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and may require glaucoma therapy, according to the Journal of Glaucoma.

Dr Joseph J. Tseng, Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York, New York, USA, led a investigation consisting of 25 eyes of 23 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). All patients has increased IOP whilst receiving interval doses of ranibizumab or bevacizumab. All patients had no previous IOP elevations and tolerated multiple anti-VEGF injections.

Patients received a mean of 20 anti-VEGF injections and the mean IOP was 29.8 mmHg, compared to a mean baseline of 16.9 mmHg. The highest IOP recorded was 35.8 mmHg.

Of the patients included in the study, 23 of 25 cases underwent IOP management and two cases switched from regular anti-VEGF doses to an optical coherence tomography-guided variable regimen.

The elevation in IOP can occur even if the patient previously tolerated multiple anti-VEGF injections. The results warrant further investigation into the link between anti-VEGF therapy and IOP.