ABSTRACT

Demographic characteristics, number of injections and data about complications in 1010 patients who were performed intraocular injection due to retinal diseases resulting from neovascularization or edema were retrospectively evaluated. Results of 4 major groups of patients were evaluated separately. Total number of patients, mean age, ratio of female to male, mean number of injections for single eye and the most commonly administered drug were 432 patients, 58.9 years, 1.4, 3±1.2 and bevacizumab (76%), respectively, in wet type age-related macular degeneration, while these numbers were 399 patients, 50.4 years, 1.1, 3±1.5 and bevacizumab (68%) for diabetic retinopathy, 33 patients, 51.3 years, 0.8, 3±1.1 and bevacizumab (66%) for retinal vein occlusion, and 52 patients (17 Behcet and 35 non-Behcet), 33 years, 1.1, 3±1.6 and triamcinolone acetonide (64%) for uveitis. Ninety four patients underwent intraocular injection for other indications. Injection related complications for all groups were intravitreal hemorrhage in two patients (bevacizumab), intraocular pressure elevation in 4 patients (triamcinolone acetonide) and cataract in two patients developing after five months (triamcinolone acetonide). A substantial decrease in complication rates may be achieved with intraocular injections performed in accordance with the standart guidelines. However patients should be informed about possible complications and examined thoroughly for additional ophthalmic pathologies that may increase the risk of complication occurrence.

Keywords: anti-VEGF, intraocular injection, triamcinolone acetonide