MedPage Today reported that, according to a study presented at an ophthalmology meeting, "intravitreal injections of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors can cause persistent hypertension in the eye after only one treatment," a complication affecting 3.45 percent of patients given bevacizumab (Avastin) or ranibizumab (Lucentis) for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
After "retrospectively" looking at 116 wet AMD patients treated with either VEGF inhibitor at their tertiary referral center from 2006 through 2008, researchers found that four patients developed persistent ocular hypertension. However, the ocular hypertension usually responds to antiglaucoma medication, though it returns if the drops are discontinued, the investigators said.

Posted in: Conditions and Diseases, Health, Hypertension, Macular Degeneration, Retina