Intravitreal bevacizumab as single drug therapy for retinopathy of prematurity in 12 patients.

Ophthalmological outcomes in a series of children with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in the threshold stage treated with intravitreal bevacizumab are reported. Twelve very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants who were administered intravitreal bevacizumab as monotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity in the threshold stage and in whom standard laser photocoagulation therapy was contraindicated were evaluated. Ophthalmological examinations were carried out and response to treatment, second interventions, and complications were evaluated. The gestational age of these patients was 26.3 +/- 1.8 weeks and their birth weight was 845 +/- 153 g. A good response was observed in eight cases, while four patients required to be reintervened with laser photocoagulation. No immediate complications were detected and there were no deaths.