Journal List > J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > v.54(11) > 1009547

Lee, Ju, Yum, Kim, Lee, and Lee: Thrombocytopenia after Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection for Macular Edema in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Abstract

Purpose

To report a rare case of thrombocytopenia after intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVBI) in a patient with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Case summary

A 52-year-old female presented to our clinic with complaints of visual disturbance in her right eye for 2 months. She was receiving hemodialysis therapy 3 times a week for 4 years due to chronic renal failure. Unilateral macular edema secondary to BRVO was observed on fundus examination and was confirmed with optical coherence tomography (OCT). The first IVBI was performed, and an additional injection was given 4 weeks later. Four weeks after the second injection, thrombocytopenia was present. The patient was followed up in our clinic without IVBI for 8 weeks and the platelet count recovered. Thrombocytopenia was reconfirmed after 2 additional monthly injections. After she revisited our clinic without IVBI for 8 weeks, the platelet count recovered without any treatment.

Conclusions

When a patient presents with thrombocytopenia after IVBI with macular edema in BRVO, thrombocytopenia due to IVBI should be considered as a possible diagnosis.

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Figure 1.
Fundus photography (A) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) (B) of the right eye show flame-shaped hemorrhage and macular edema in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) at the initial visit. Fundus photography (C) and OCT (D) show improving state of macular edema in BRVO after the second intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVBI).
jkos-54-1788f1.tif
Figure 2.
Fundus photography (A) at the 12 weeks after the second IVBI shows recurrence of retinal hemorrhage and occurrence of newly vitreous hemorrhage. Fundus photography (B) and OCT (C) show improving state of macular edema in BRVO and vitreous hemorrhage after the fourth IVBI.
jkos-54-1788f2.tif
Figure 3.
Changes in platelet count in relation to treatment with bevacizumab. Arrows indicate IVBI (1.25 mg/0.05 ml).
jkos-54-1788f3.tif
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