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Treatment of ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion with prophylactic anti-VEGF injections reduces the risk of neovascular glaucoma, but careful long-term monitoring for ocular new vessels remains essential
January 31, 2018

Treatment of ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion with prophylactic anti-VEGF injections reduces the risk of neovascular glaucoma, but careful long-term monitoring for ocular new vessels remains essential

The Science behind the Tip

Approximately 20% of central retinal vein occlusions (CRVO) are ischaemic and of those, 45% develop neovascular glaucoma, usually within 7-8 months of presentation. A NIH –funded study revealed that 42% of patients with an ischaemic CRVO developed new vessels on the iris or in the angle. Despite pan-retinal photocoagulation, 8.5% subsequently progressed to neovascular glaucoma (1).

In patients with CRVO injected at regular intervals over a 12-month period with aflibercept (Eylea) or bevacisumab (Avastin), none developed neovascular glaucoma over that time (2,3). However, in a retrospective study where a reduced dosing schedule of anti –VEGF therapy was used in patients with CRVO, 14% developed iris new vessels and 7% neovascular glaucoma, much later than expected (19.7 months after symptom onset) (4). Careful long-term monitoring for ocular new vessels is essential even if these patients are receiving anti-VEGF therapy.

Contributor: Dr J F Salmon MD - Oxford

References

  1. Clarhson JC. Natural history and clinical management of central retinal vein occlusion. Arch Ophthalmol 1997; 115: 486-491

  2. Brown DM, Heier JS, Clark WL et al. Intravitreal aflibercept injection for macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion; 1-year results from the phase 3 COPERNICUS Study. Am J Ophthalmol 2013; 155: 429-437

  3. Epstein DL, Algvere PV, von Wendt et al, Benefit from bevacizumab for macular oedema in central retinal vein occusion: twelve month results of a prospective randomised study. Ophthalmology 2012; 119: 2587-91.

  4. Ryu CL, Elfersy A, Desai U et al. The effect of antivascular endothelial growth factory therapy on the development of neovascular glaucoma after central retinal vein occlusion: a retrospective analysis J.Ophthalmol 2014; ID 317694.

Tip Reviewer: Roger Hitchings
Tip Editor: John Salmon