Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) for post-vitrectomy diabetic vitreous hemorrhage

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab injection in treating vitreous haemorrhage after diabetic vitrectomy. Methodology: This interventional study was conducted at Al-Ibrahim Eye Hospital, Karachi, between July 2008 and Sept’2009. Selected patients having vitreous hemorrhage, after diabetic vitrectomy, were given intravitreal bevacizumab 1.25mg.Main outcome measures were Vitreous clear-up time and change in vitreous hemorrrhage scale at baseline and at four weeks and three months after injection. Results: After intravitreal bevacizumab in 16 eyes, vitreous hemorrrhage cleared in 13(81%) eyes within four weeks. Mean vitreous clear-up time was 2.9 weeks. At baseline, mean vitreous hemorrrhage scale was 2.5+0.52; this improved to 0.81+1.0(p= 0.001) and 0.53+0.45(p= 0.001) at four weeks and three months, respectively. At the end of three months, 10(71%) of 13 eyes maintained vitreous hemorrrhage-free condition while 3(23%) developed recurrent vitreous hemorrrhage. Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab is quite effective in clearing post-operative vitreous haemorrhage after diabetic vitrectomy.