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POSTERIOR TRACTIONAL MEMBRANES FOLLOWING ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR FOR RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY
Tala Al-Khaled1, Emily Cole1, Nita G Valikodath1
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
Retinal Cases & Brief Reports
|July 23, 2020
Summary
Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy can lead to tractional retinal membranes in infants with retinopathy of prematurity. This potential complication requires careful consideration during treatment planning for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Retinal Diseases
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy is increasingly used for ROP, but potential long-term effects are still being studied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document two cases of tractional membrane formation in infants treated with anti-VEGF therapy for Stage-3 retinopathy of prematurity.
- To highlight a potential adverse ocular outcome associated with anti-VEGF treatment in ROP.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of electronic medical records, including clinical examinations and various imaging modalities (fundus photography, ultrasonography, fluorescein angiography).
- Analysis of two cases involving infants with Stage-3 ROP who developed tractional membranes after anti-VEGF treatment.
Main Results:
- Two male infants with Stage-3 ROP, previously treated with laser and intravitreal bevacizumab, presented with tractional membranes.
- One infant developed Stage 4A ROP with inferotemporal tractional retinal detachment; the other developed an epiretinal membrane.
- Both cases necessitated pars plicata vitrectomy and membranectomy due to concerns of progressive tractional retinal detachment.
Conclusions:
- Tractional retinal membranes can form following anti-VEGF therapy in infants with retinopathy of prematurity.
- These findings suggest that the development of posterior tractional membranes is a potential ocular complication of anti-VEGF treatment for ROP.
- Ophthalmologists should consider this potential outcome when formulating treatment strategies for ROP.
