A Case Series of Serious Adverse Events Following Anti-VEGF Intravitreal Injections

TL;DR

This paper reports serious complications from anti-VEGF eye injections, stressing the need for careful patient selection and risk awareness.

Contribution

The paper adds to the literature by presenting real-world cases of severe adverse events from a widely used retinal treatment.

Findings

Three cases of serious complications following anti-VEGF intravitreal injections were reported.

All cases resulted in decreased visual acuity requiring additional surgical interventions.

The findings highlight the importance of vigilance in patient selection and treatment decisions.

Abstract

To highlight serious adverse effects regarding intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy, which is widely used for the treatment of retinal diseases, including two cases of post-injection endophthalmitis, one of which was complicated by rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and one case of secondary cataract following a potentially unnecessary injection.

A retrospective analysis of three cases that developed complications after intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy.

All cases resulted in a decline in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) that required additional surgical procedures.

While intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy has become the standard in the treatment of various retinal pathologies, it is not without risks. This case series presents significant adverse outcomes, emphasizing the potential for severe anatomical and functional consequences. As the global volume of anti-VEGF intravitreal injections increases, so must our commitment to patient safety, precision in diagnosis, and ethical decision making.

Although generally safe and commonly used in clinical practice, physicians must be aware of the risks of anti-VEGF therapy and must remain vigilant regarding patient selection and risk-benefit considerations.

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