Avastin silicone floaters can be a problem for patients who have had the cancer medication injected into their eyes.

Avastin (bevacizumab) was originally developed to treat colon and rectal cancers that had metastasized. Avastin works by stopping the protein VEGF in the blood that enables tumors to develop new blood vessels. Without new blood vessels, the tumor cannot obtain the nutrients it needs to grow.

The same principle is at work in the off-label use of Avastin in the eye, where the drug can slow the growth of blood vessels. The medication is used to treat age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular edema and diabetic retinopathy.

Avastin Silicone Floaters Caused by Syringes

Avastin itself does not cause floaters, but Avastin silicone floaters come from the syringes used to deliver the medication into the eye.

Because Avastin is not FDA-approved to treat eye problems, the drug company is not allowed to market Avastin for this purpose. As a result, there are no pre-filled syringes of Avastin sold for use in the eyes.

Eye doctors rely upon pharmacists to prepare Avastin in syringes. Any syringe that is not exclusively designed for use in the eye is likely to be lubricated with silicone oil.

When the needle, barrel and plunger of the syringes are lubricated with silicone oil, the oil has a tendency to migrate from its intended position.

As soon as one of the syringes is filled with Avastin, the silicone from the barrel can mix with the medication. If the filled syringe sits for several weeks before being used, more silicone can seep into the medicine.

Upon the plunger pushing against the sides of the barrel to release the medication through the needle and into the eye, more silicone can enter into the medicine. Avastin silicone floaters occur when the silicone particles settle in the eye.

Syringes that are designed for intravenous drugs contain a higher silicone particulate count than is allowed by the USP (U.S. Pharmacopeia) in ophthalmic solutions.

Freezing the syringes with the Avastin loaded in them can lead to increased silicone contamination.

In addition to the possibility of Avastin silicone floaters, a patient might see an increased risk of reaction to the injection because Avastin’s composition might promote inflammatory reactions.

Possible problems from Avastin silicone floaters can include:

• Increased intraocular pressure
• Inflammation
• Infection (endophthalmitis)
• Retinal tearing
• Retinal detachment
• Cataract formation
• Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
• Hypotony (reduced pressure in the eye)
• Corneal damage
• Vision loss/blindness
• Other vision-related complications

If you have received injections that have resulted in you experiencing Avastin silicone floaters, you could benefit from speaking to a lawyer regarding your options for compensation.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or Avastin silicone injection class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, Avastin lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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