Intraocular inflammation more common with aflibercept injections in real-world setting

The incidence of mild intraocular inflammation (IOI) in the real world occurs more frequently after intravitreal injection of aflibercept than in clinical trials, according to a study published online May 1 in JAMA Ophthalmology.

Karoline E. Binder, M.D., from the Technical University of Munich, and colleagues assessed the incidence of IOI after intravitreal injection of aflibercept, 8 mg, in real-world practice. The analysis included 41 patients (23 with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and 18 with diabetic macular edema) who were treated with 136 intravitreal aflibercept, 8 mg, injections.

The researchers reported that five patients developed mild sterile IOI within one to three days after the intervention (incidence per injection, 3.7%; incidence per patient, 12%). Only one patient developed inflammation after the first dose, while the other four had prior exposure to aflibercept. All patients were treated with local anti-inflammatory therapy (topical or subconjunctival corticosteroids), while two patients received additional systemic oral corticosteroids. After IOI resolved, there was no reduction in best-corrected visual acuity.

“Although the IOI found in this series can be considered mild, careful evaluation of patient-associated risk factors and thorough patient education are warranted,” the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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