To evaluate the short-term effects of a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin) for the management of new vessels (NV) associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

A non-randomized study of 19 PDR patients (20 eyes) who had active NV was analyzed prospectively. Standardized ophthalmic evaluation was performed at baseline and at weeks 1, 4, and 8 after intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg of bevacizumab. The main outcome measures included changes in total area of fluorescein leakage from active NV and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Twenty eyes of 19 patients (12 men [63.2%], 7 women [36.8%]) were included and all patients completed the 8-week study follow-up period. The mean age of participants was 47.05±12.48 years. At baseline, NV area was 23.02±21.80 mm². The area of active NV decreased significantly to 4.96±9.18 mm², 1.11±4.96 mm² and 4.55±5.11 mm² ( p <0.05) at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after injection, respectively. At week 4, no leakage was observed in 19 eyes. The mean logMAR BCVA improved from 0.59±0.49 at baseline to 0.56±0.47, 0.55±0.73 and 0.51±0.50 at weeks 1, 4, and 8, respectively. No significant adverse events were observed.

Short-term results suggest that intravitreal injection of bevacizumab is associated with a rapid regression of retinal neovascularization secondary to PDR.