Ghost cell glaucoma after intravitreal bevacizumab for postoperative vitreous hemorrhage following vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To report the occurrence of ghost cell glaucoma after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for the treatment of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage after vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective chart review from August 2006 to December 2007. Patients who had postoperative vitreous hemorrhage after vitrectomy for PDR and received an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab were enrolled in the study.

RESULTS

Eight eyes of 8 patients (mean age: 46 years) were included. After intravitreal injection of bevacizumab, 4 (50%) eyes had clearance of vitreous hemorrhage. Three eyes developed ghost cell glaucoma within 1 week after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. Of these, intraocular pressure was controlled in 1 eye through the use of anti-glaucoma medication, whereas the other 2 eyes needed surgical intervention to lower intraocular pressure and subsequently clear the vitreous hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab may accelerate the clearance of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage in cases of PDR. However, a high incidence of ghost cell glaucoma was observed. Caution should be exercised when administering an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for a postoperative vitreous hemorrhage after vitrectomy for PDR.