The role of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor in treatment of retinopathy of prematurity—a current review

The review aims to evaluate the uses of conventional laser therapy and intravitreal injection of various anti-VEGF in terms of efficacy and side effects for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity. A literature search of the publication, concerning conventional laser treatment and intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF for ROP. A total of 40 articles were reviewed after curation by the authors for relevance. Intravitreal anti-VEGF showed better ocular efficacy in zone I ROP while laser therapy had a lower recurrence rate in zone II. Comparing the two mainstay anti-VEGF agents, bevacizumab showed lower ROP recurrence rate than ranibizumab. Anti-VEGF has a higher chance in developing persistent peripheral avascularisation compared to conventional laser therapy, but a lower chance of developing high myopia. Ranibizumab has a lower systemic absorption than bevacizumab, despite having no difference in the incidence of persistent peripheral avascularisation. In conclusion, it is advised that intravitreal anti-VEGF should be used as the first-line treatment for zone I ROP while laser therapy should be the mainstay for zone II ROP owing to the different pathogenetic mechanisms. In patients with recurrence after initial anti-VEGF injection, that given ranibizumab may opt to repeat the injection while that given bevacizumab should consider supplement laser ablative treatment.