Doctors have often found certain drugs to be effective in treating diseases that are not within the scope of the medication’s FDA-approved uses. As an example, cancer drug Avastin has been found to be helpful in the treatment of certain eye diseases when injected by ophthalmologists into the eye.

According to this article by The Macula Center, it seems to work by stopping vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which could be a key factor in abnormal blood vessel growth that causes a lot of eye conditions. Unfortunately, Avastin eye floaters have been reported as a side effect of this treatment.

Food and Drug Administration’s Named Use of Avastin

According to the National Cancer Institute, Avastin, also known generically as Bevacizumab, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on Nov. 14, 2014. It is an intravenous infusion drug used for the treatment of ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer.

It is also a treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. The blocking of VEGF controls the development of blood vessels that feed cancer and allow it to continue to grow.

According to The Macula Center, Avastin has the same effect when it is injected into the eye. Several improvements have been noted with conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, central retinal vein occlusion, and histoplasmosis.

The problem of silicone Avastin eye floaters, a side effect of this treatment, should be weighed against these improvements.

Avastin Eye Floaters Linked to Syringe Delivery

Avastin injectables for use by ophthalmologists are prepared by compounding pharmacists. The drug is put into syringes that are not always designed for use in the eye.

Often the needle, barrel, and plunger are coated with silicone oil as a lubricant. This lubricant can mix with the drug the longer it sits unused, and the lubricant can end up in the eye as silicone Avastin eye floaters.

Ironically, the chances of Avastin eye floaters occurring because of syringe lubricant mixing with the drug in the barrel does not go down if the injectable is frozen. Freezing may lengthen the usable life of the drug itself, but it also increases the risk of lubricant and Avastin mixing.

The silicone oil particles are believed to be a risk factor for problems such as inflammation, infection, glaucoma, hypotony, retinal tearing and complete detachment, damage to the cornea, cataract formation, loss of vision acuity and even blindness.

In addition to the oil particles themselves, questions arise about sterility of the syringe preparation and storage process. The injectable version of Avastin could introduce bacteria to the eye that could have a dangerous outcome.

There have been cases of complete vision loss and brain-damage occurring because of non-sterile syringes. The FDA recalled syringes that came from the suspected pharmacies.

Avastin Off-Label Uses

Avastin off-label uses for eye diseases will likely continue into the future given its overall effectiveness.

If you believe you or a love one has suffered because of treatment with Avastin, you may benefit from a free consultation with a knowledgeable Avastin product liability lawyer.

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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