Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Original research

Laser flare photometry: a cost-effective method for early detection of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents

Authors: Vânia Lages, Béatrice Gehrig, Carl P. Herbort Jr.

Published in: Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection | Issue 1/2018

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents is the most common intraocular procedure worldwide, inevitably causing more cases of post-injection endophthalmitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of laser flare photometry in monitoring inflammation after intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, particularly to detect early stage post-injection endophthalmitis.

Main body of the abstract

A retrospective case review was performed of all patients who underwent flare assessment by laser flare photometry before and after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab or aflibercept at the Centre for Ophthalmic Specialized Care in Lausanne, Switzerland, between January 2015 and May 2018. The following data were retrieved: indication for intravitreal injection, medication administered, pre-injection and 72-h post-injection laser flare photometry values, and occurrence of post-injection endophthalmitis. A total of 736 injections were included in this study; 705 cases (95.8%) had a post-injection flare at 72 h ≤ 30 ph/ms, 29 cases (3.9%) had a post-injection flare at 72 h between > 30 and 50 ph/ms, and 2 cases (0.3%) had a post-injection flare at 72 h above > 50 ph/ms (664 and 742 ph/ms). These latter two cases were diagnosed as early-stage endophthalmitis.

Conclusion

Laser flare photometry is a cost-effective method of screening for early stage post-injection endophthalmitis. Values > 50 ph/ms 72-h post-injection should prompt immediate evaluation by an ophthalmologist.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Grzybowski A, Told R, Sacu S, Bandello F, Moisseiev E, Loewenstein A et al (2018) 2018 update on intravitreal injections: euretina expert consensus recommendations. Ophthalmologica Journal international d'ophtalmologie International journal of ophthalmology Zeitschrift fur Augenheilkunde 239:181–193. https://doi.org/10.1159/000486145 CrossRefPubMed Grzybowski A, Told R, Sacu S, Bandello F, Moisseiev E, Loewenstein A et al (2018) 2018 update on intravitreal injections: euretina expert consensus recommendations. Ophthalmologica Journal international d'ophtalmologie International journal of ophthalmology Zeitschrift fur Augenheilkunde 239:181–193. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1159/​000486145 CrossRefPubMed
5.
7.
go back to reference Hoevenaars NE, Gans D, Missotten T, van Rooij J, Lesaffre E, van Meurs JC (2012) Suspected bacterial endophthalmitis following intravitreal anti-VEGF injection: case series and literature review. Ophthalmologica Journal international d'ophtalmologie International journal of ophthalmology Zeitschrift fur Augenheilkunde. 228:143–147. https://doi.org/10.1159/000339584 CrossRefPubMed Hoevenaars NE, Gans D, Missotten T, van Rooij J, Lesaffre E, van Meurs JC (2012) Suspected bacterial endophthalmitis following intravitreal anti-VEGF injection: case series and literature review. Ophthalmologica Journal international d'ophtalmologie International journal of ophthalmology Zeitschrift fur Augenheilkunde. 228:143–147. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1159/​000339584 CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Yeniad B, Ayranci O, Tuncer S, Kir N, Ovali T, Tugal-Tutkun I et al (2011) Assessment of anterior chamber inflammation after intravitreal bevacizumab injection in different ocular exudative diseases. Eur J Ophthalmol 21:156–161CrossRefPubMed Yeniad B, Ayranci O, Tuncer S, Kir N, Ovali T, Tugal-Tutkun I et al (2011) Assessment of anterior chamber inflammation after intravitreal bevacizumab injection in different ocular exudative diseases. Eur J Ophthalmol 21:156–161CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Sawa M, Tsurimaki Y, Tsuru T, Shimizu H (1988) New quantitative method to determine protein concentration and cell number in aqueous in vivo. Jpn J Ophthalmol 32:132–142PubMed Sawa M, Tsurimaki Y, Tsuru T, Shimizu H (1988) New quantitative method to determine protein concentration and cell number in aqueous in vivo. Jpn J Ophthalmol 32:132–142PubMed
Metadata
Title
Laser flare photometry: a cost-effective method for early detection of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents
Authors
Vânia Lages
Béatrice Gehrig
Carl P. Herbort Jr.
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1869-5760
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12348-018-0165-4

Other articles of this Issue 1/2018

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection 1/2018 Go to the issue