Acute retinal arterial occlusion after intravenous administration of bevacizumab

Abstract

Retinal artery occlusions are usually the result of emboli, although non-embolic causes such as v asculitides, coagulopathies, and vasospasms resulting from migraines and inflammatory conditions do occur. Bevacizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody, is designed to bind to and inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is a protein that play s a critical role in tumour angiogenesis, the formation of new blood v essels to the tumour. The use of bevacizumab has spread worldwide, but the drug related adverse events associated with its use have been reported in a few retrospective reviews. We report on a previously unpublished case of retinal artery occlusion following the use of systemic bevacizumab.