Role of Bevacizumab Adjunct to Pan Retinal Photocoagulation for the Management of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Anti-VEGF drugs are being used for the regression of neovascularization seen in Diabetic retinopathy. An adjunct use of Pan Retinal Photocoagulation is found to improve the regression of new vessels.

To evaluate the short term effects of intravitreal injection of bevacizumzb with Pan Retinal Photocoagulation in the management of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Single centre, Interventional, (nonrandomized,) prospective cohort study.

The patients diagnosed with Proliferative diabetic retinopathy by complete eye examination were subjected to Pan retinal photocoagulation and intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (6.2mcg). Each patient was followed up after 48hrs, 1 month and 6 months (if needed). Any adverse effect in the post injection period was also thoroughly investigated.

A total of 114 eyes diagnosed with Proliferative diabetic retinopathy were studied. Of these, 19(16.66%) eyes had persistent NV post PRP, 31(27.19%) eyes had new vessels elsewhere (NVE) alone. Of which 95% and 100% respectively showed complete regression of new vessels post injection. Those with new vessels at the disc (NVD) + NVE were 15 (13.15%) eyes of which 80% showed improvement. New vessels (NV) with clinically significant macular edema (CSME) were 26(22.80%) eyes, in which there was a significant 100% improvement and finally in 23(20.17%) eyes with PDR high risk characters improvement was noticed only in 65%. No significant side effect of the drug was seen in any of the eyes.

Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab adjunct to Pan retinal photocoagulation has better outcomes in the management of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.