inserts the medication into the vitreous
— the jelly-like substance in the
back chamber of the eye. Additional
treatments may be given as needed at
regular intervals (about every four to
six weeks).
AVASTIN ALTERNATIVES
At present, there are several other
FDA-approved treatments for wet
age-related macular degeneration:
photodynamic therapy with a drug
called Visudyne; and injection into the
eye of other VEGF inhibitors drugs
called Eylea, Macugen and Lucentis.
Although all of these treatments
are proven to slow down the rate of
visual loss, vision does not improve
for many patients. Dr. Deupree or Dr.
Tolentino will discuss the benefits and
risks of these optional treatments.
In addition to FDA-approved medications,
some ophthalmologists use
intravitreal Kenalog, a long-acting
anti-inflammatory drug, to treat some
of these eye conditions.
COMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER PATIENTS
When Avastin is used to treat colorectal
cancer, a small number of patients
experience serious and sometimes
life-threatening complications.
Patients who experienced these complications
not only had colon cancer
but were also given 400 times the
dose typically given in the eye. Also,
cancer patients receive treatments at
more frequent intervals, and in a way
(intravenous) that spreads the drug
throughout their bodies.
AVASTIN EYE INJECTION RISKS
Ophthalmologists believe that the risk
of these complications for patients
with eye conditions is low. On average,
patients who receive Avastin for
eye conditions are typically healthier
than the cancer patients, and receive
a significantly smaller dose only inside
their eye.
There are ongoing clinical trials of
similar drugs as well as studies of patients
getting Avastin “off-label.” One
study of patients treated with Avastin
intravenously reported only a mild
elevation in blood pressure. Another
study of patients treated with intravitreal
Avastin (Bevacizumab injected
into the eye) did not have these elevations
or the other serious problems
seen in the patients with cancer.
It is important to understand that the
benefits and risks of intravitreal Avastin
for eye conditions are not yet fully
known. Also, whenever a medication
is used with many patients, a small
number of coincidental life-threatening
problems may occur that have no
relationship to the treatment.
For example, patients with diabetes
are already at increased risk for heart
attacks and strokes. If one of these
Avastin patients suffers a heart attack
or stroke, the cause could be the diabetes
and not the Avastin.
For more information, contact Drs. Tolentino (Director of BOCR) and Deupree (Co-Director of BOCR):
3280 N. McMullen Booth Rd, Ste 120, Clwtr FL 33761 • 727-789-8770 • www.MaculaCenter.com
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