Bevacizumab as an adjunct to vitrectomy for diabetic retinopathy: A retrospective study

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a single preoperative injection of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) on the visual and anatomical outcome of patients undergoing 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (23G PPV) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Materials and Methods: Medical record from patients undergoing vitrectomy for PDR were retrospectively analyzed for the last 3 years. IVB has been a routine procedure for patients fulfilling eligibility criteria for the past 3 years. Patients who did not receive IVB preoperatively were assigned as control group (Group A). Patients who received a single IVB injection (1.25 mg in 0.05 ml) preoperatively were assigned to Group B. Medical record of 100 patients who had completed 12-month follow-up were included in each group. Results: The primary outcome measure was visual outcome which was better in Group B as compared to Group A, anatomical outcome observed was 65% patients in Group A and 85% patients in Group B. The secondary outcomes were intraoperative hemorrhage and postoperative vitreous hemorrhage (VH). Intraoperative hemorrhage was seen in 40% patients in Group A and 20% patients in Group B, whereas postoperative VH was seen in 45% patients in Group A and 15% patients in Group B. Conclusion: Preoperative use of bevacizumab achieves excellent anatomical and functional success in majority of patients undergoing PPV for PDR and significantly reduced occurrence of postoperative VH. The results are encouraging when combined with transconjunctival 23 GPPV.