Using data of over 60,000 patients from 2012-2015, a recent study found that previous intravitreal injections (IV) is a risk for posterior capsule rupture during cataract surgery.
Interestingly, the number of prior injections, or indications for injections had no bearing on the risk of rupture.
You know what other risk factors come with IV injections? Glaucoma.
A small study showed that repeated anti-VEGF injections (meaning 20 or more) in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) reduces aqueous outflow facility, particularly in patients with ocular hypertension at baseline.
What does that mean for you? Your AMD patients that have had several anti-VEGF injections need to be watched closely for rising IOP.
Lastly, this study says that patients with pre-existing RPE atrophy who now have wet AMD may not respond well to Lucentis.
These studies come out just as Lucentis gets FDA approval to treat all forms of diabetic retinopathy.
