Retina-Vitreous
2018 , Vol 27 , Num 4
Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Drug Injections in Vitrectomized Eyes
Prof. Dr., Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi, Meram Tıp Fakültesi, Göz Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Konya, Türkiye
Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents is currently the most commonly performed procedure in
the field of retina. In eyes undergoing anti-VEGF treatment, clinicians are frequently challenged with conditions necessitating pars plana vitrectomy.
However, for many patients, the chronic and recurrent nature of posterior segment disease necessitates continued intravitreal injections
after surgery. Generally, drug clearance has been assumed to increase and drug effectiveness decrease in vitrectomized eyes. Most of the large
clinical trials of anti-VEGF drugs were performed in nonvitrectomized eyes and do not answer how the effect of treatment with these drugs
may be altered in vitrectomized eyes. Although few animal studies have compared intravitreal anti-VEGF concentrations of vitrectomized eyes
with those of nonvitrectomized eyes, it is difficult to draw defi nite conclusions from the available data in vitrectomized human eyes. We aimed
to discuss effects of vitrectomy on pharmacokinetics of anti-VEGF agents and clinical outcomes in this review.
Keywords :
Vitrectomy, anti-VEGF, pharmacokinetics