Reactivation of retinopathy of prematurity after intravitreal bevacizumab: incidence, risk factors, and retreatment requirements.
Retinopathy of prematurity came back in about 30% of eyes after bevacizumab injection.
Reactivation of retinopathy of prematurity after intravitreal bevacizumab: incidence, risk factors, and retreatment requirements.
This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of reactivation following intravitreal bevacizumab (intravitreal bevacizumab) treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (retinopathy of prematurity) and to determine which cases required additional treatment.
A retrospective cohort study was conducted including 62 premature infants (119 eyes) diagnosed with type 1 retinopathy of prematurity or aggressive retinopathy of prematurity (A-retinopathy of prematurity) who received intravitreal bevacizumab monotherapy between September 2021 and July 2024.
over 30% of treated eyes had the retinopathy of prematurity come back, needing close follow-up
The mean gestational age and birth weight in reactivated eyes were 24.4 ± 1.2 weeks and 643 ± 149 g, respectively.
Reactivation was significantly associated with lower gestational age (p < 0.001), lower birth weight (p < 0.001), longer pre- and post-intravitreal bevacizumab oxygen therapy (p = 0.006 and p < 0.001), zone 1 disease (p < 0.001), and the presence of aggressive ROP (p < 0.001).
Reactivation following intravitreal bevacizumab therapy is common among infants with low gestational age, low birth weight, prolonged oxygen exposure, and aggressive or zone 1 disease.
Although most reactivations required retreatment, some resolved spontaneously, highlighting the importance of individualized and extended post-treatment monitoring.