OCCLUSIVE RETINAL VASCULITIS AFTER AFLIBERCEPT 8 mg INJECTION FOR WET MACULAR DEGENERATION

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Vascular Disorders

Background:

• Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss.
• Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections are standard treatment for wet AMD.
• Complications of intravitreal injections, though rare, require careful management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of occlusive retinal vasculitis (ORV) following intravitreal aflibercept 8mg injection.
• To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and management of this rare complication.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, interventional case report.
• Detailed review of clinical presentation, diagnostic tests, and treatment course.
• Ophthalmic examination, laboratory investigations, and imaging studies.

Main Results:

• A 72-year-old female developed ORV 11 days post-aflibercept injection, with vision loss from 20/30 to 20/400.
• Infectious and hypercoagulable workup was negative.
• Aggressive steroid therapy (oral, sub-Tenon's, intravitreal) and a fluocinolone implant led to visual and anatomic improvement, with recurrence upon steroid tapering.

Conclusions:

• Occlusive retinal vasculitis is a rare but serious complication of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy.
• Prompt and aggressive steroid treatment can result in favorable visual outcomes.
• The condition may be chronic or recurrent, necessitating long-term management strategies.