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Updated: Aug 20, 2025
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Published on: April 2, 2021
[Risk factors for recurrence after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection for retinopathy of
Qing-Fei Hao1, Jing Chen1, Peng Ruan1
1Department of Neonatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China.
Insights
Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections effectively treat retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). However, preoperative fundus hemorrhage and prolonged oxygen exposure increase ROP recurrence risk.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Medical Research
Context:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy has emerged as a promising treatment for ROP.
- Understanding recurrence risk factors is crucial for optimizing ROP management.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections in treating ROP.
- To identify risk factors associated with ROP recurrence after anti-VEGF treatment.
Summary:
- A retrospective study analyzed 159 infants with ROP treated with anti-VEGF injections.
- Recurrence occurred in 15.1% of infants, with preoperative fundus hemorrhage and prolonged oxygen supply identified as significant risk factors.
- Gestational hypertension was found to be a protective factor against ROP recurrence.
Impact:
- Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections demonstrate effectiveness in ROP regression.
- Identifying high-risk patients can guide closer monitoring and potentially preventative strategies.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of gestational hypertension in ROP recurrence.
Objectives:
To investigate the efficacy of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and the risk factors for recurrence.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 159 infants with ROP who were born in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and underwent anti-VEGF treatment from January 2016 to December 2021. According to the presence or absence of recurrence within the follow-up period after initial anti-VEGF treatment, they were divided into a recurrence group with 24 infants and a non-recurrence group with 135 infants. The medical data were compared between the two groups, and a multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors for the recurrence of ROP after anti-VEGF treatment.
Results:
After one-time anti-VEGF treatment, all 159 infants showed regression of plus disease. Recurrence was observed in 24 infants (15.1%) after anti-VEGF treatment, with a mean interval of (8.4±2.6) weeks from treatment to recurrence. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative fundus hemorrhage and prolonged total oxygen supply time were risk factors for the recurrence of ROP (P<0.05), while gestational hypertension was a protective factor (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
Intravitreal anti-VEGF injection is effective for ROP. Preoperative fundus hemorrhage and long duration of oxygen therapy may increase the risk of ROP recurrence, and further studies are needed to investigate the influence of gestational hypertension on the recurrence of ROP.
