First Author: A.Morgante ITALY
Co Author(s): S. Borin I. De Franco E. Bottacini R. Bellucci
Purpose:
Patients presenting with cataracts can be affected by wet macular degeneration, requiring intravitreal bevacizumab. We report our experience on the simultaneous procedure of phacoemulsification cataract surgery with IOL implantation and injection of intravitreal bevacizumab with the aim to report any visual or clinical outcomes.
Setting:
Ophthalmic Unit Hospital and University of Verona - Italy
Methods:
Out of 482 patients that underwent cataract surgery over a 3 month period, 12 patients with cataracts and age-related macular degeneration received an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab immediately after the surgical procedure. Clinical and diagnostic controls were conducted in the first post-operative day and periodically. All the patients followed the intravitreal therapy protocol and received two additional injections in the following 3 months.
Results:
Visual acuity improved during the first postoperative month in all 12 patients. The patients appreciated the increase in image brightness and in visual acuity. In no patient the macular degeneration worsened. We noticed no complications that might be due to the combination of the two procedures.
Conclusions:
The combination of intravitreal bevacizumab and phacoemulsification was safe and beneficial for visual rehabilitation. It was perceived by patients as a single procedure. It may be used in every eye candidated to cataract surgery in which new vessel enlargement or development is anticipated FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE?: No
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