Short-term changes of intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab or ranibizumab

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intravitreal anti-vascular endothothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection on intraocular pressure (IOP) and mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP). METHODS: MOPP results were obtained by measuring mean arterial pressure (MAP) and IOP just before the injection, immediately after the injection, at 30 min, 1 day, and 1 week after injection from 65 eyes of 42 patients. RESULTS: Pre-injection mean IOP was 16.66 ± 3.50 mmHg, and mean IOP was 43.81 ± 9.69 mmHg immediately after the injection, 17.57 ± 4.44 mmHg at 30 min, 15.00 ± 4.21 mmHg at 1 day, and 15.90 ± 3.63 mmHg at 1 week after the injection. Pre-injection mean MOPP was 46.39 ± 5.78 mmHg, and mean MOPP was 25.14 ± 8.79 mmHg immediately after the injection, 45.87 ± 6.31 mmHg at 30 min, 46.93 ± 6.25 mmHg at 1 day, and 46.50 ± 4.94 mmHg at 1 week after the injection. CONCLUSION: The instant increase in IOP by intravitreal anti-VEGF injection led to a transient decrease in MOPP. Based on this finding, the instant increase in IOP after intravitreal anti-VEGF injection does not significantly impair retinal blood flow.