Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 22, 2026
06:15
Tumor Treating Field Therapy in Combination with Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma
Published on: October 27, 2014
28.0K
Photopsias during Systemic Bevacizumab Therapy.
Heather Leisy1, Meleha Ahmad1, R Theodore Smith1
1Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Case Reports in Ophthalmological Medicine
|April 13, 2016
Summary
Recurrent visual disturbances like flashes were reported after systemic bevacizumab treatment for ovarian cancer. This case highlights the importance of monitoring ocular side effects in patients receiving this therapy.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- A case study details a 56-year-old woman experiencing recurrent photopsias (visual disturbances like flashes).
- These symptoms occurred after multiple intravenous treatments with bevacizumab for stage IV ovarian cancer.
- This is the first reported instance of photopsias in a patient with a normal eye examination undergoing systemic bevacizumab therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare ocular side effect of systemic bevacizumab.
- To investigate the potential link between bevacizumab and visual disturbances.
- To emphasize the need for vigilant monitoring of ocular health in patients receiving bevacizumab.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of a 56-year-old female patient with stage IV ovarian cancer.
- Detailed ophthalmic examinations including dilated fundus exam and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).
- Review of possible mechanisms for bevacizumab-induced photopsias.
Main Results:
- The patient developed photopsias and floaters shortly after intravenous bevacizumab administration.
- Comprehensive eye exams, including SD-OCT, showed no significant abnormalities.
- The ocular symptoms were recurrent following repeat bevacizumab treatments.
Conclusions:
- Systemic bevacizumab may cause ocular symptoms such as photopsias, even with normal eye exams.
- Routine questioning for visual symptoms is recommended for patients on bevacizumab.
- Further systematic evaluation of the retinal nerve fiber layer and choroid is suggested for long-term, high-dose bevacizumab recipients.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
1.1K
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
1.1K
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
1.6K
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
1.6K