Abstract
Abstract Aim: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab in management of retinopathy of prematurity patients zone I disease without macular involvement or zone II stage 3. Methods: Data was collected for ROP patients with zone I disease without macular development and zone II stage 3 who received intravitreal bevacizumab injections of 0.625 mg/0.05 mL between November 2019 and March 2022 at Alrassen medical center. No prior laser or other intravitreal treatment was done. Prior to the intervention and at each follow-up visit, fundus examination was performed. gestational age at birth, sex, birth weight, ROP zone, ROP stage, and follow-up period were recorded. The final clinical status of the retina was evaluated for each patient. Results: Twenty-four eyes of premature infants with ROP zone I disease without macular involvement or zone II stage 3 were enrolled in the study. The mean gestational age at birth was 28.12±1.37 (range: 26 to 33) wks. and the mean birth weight was 1470.57±226.85 (range: 1020.00 to 1650.00) g. All eyes vascularized into zone III at the end of the study and twenty-two eyes treated successfully with single injection of intravitreal bevacizumab only two eyes needed another intravitreal bevacizumab injection. No cases of cataract formation, endophthalmitis, or vitreous hemorrhage were reported Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection is an effective treatment for ROP patients with zone I disease macular involvement or zone II stage 3 through inducing regression of ROP and promoting normal retinal vascularization. More patients with longer follow-up duration are necessary to confirm the safety and efficacy of this treatment