Avastin, a chemotherapy drug known generically as bevacizumab, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2008 for use in treating metastatic breast cancer. Since that time, ophthalmologists have used Avastin “off-label” as a treatment for various eye diseases.

Some of these diseases include macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion. Despite its effectiveness, Avastin eye floaters can be a significant problem.

Floaters are not caused by any problem with the drug itself. Avastin eye floaters are caused by silicone oil that can be present on the needle, barrel, and plunger of the hypodermic needle used to administer this “off-label” treatment. The syringes are prepared by compounding pharmacists and are not necessarily created or intended for this type of sensitive application.

The silicone oil has been known to travel down the barrel to the needle and even into the drug itself while it is stored for use. When this occurs, Avastin eye floaters can result. The longer the prepared hypodermic sits prior to application, the more likely this event will occur, and researchers have found that freezing the prepared needles does nothing but make the situation worse.

Avastin Eye Floaters

Avastin eye floaters can look like bubbles in the field of vision to the patient. They can be very annoying but also lead to very serious complications including vision-threatening infections which, although rare, can travel to the brain.

Other problems which have arisen in association with Avastin eye floaters are:

• Retinal tearing & detachment
• Corneal damage
• Increased or reduced pressure in the eye (also known as glaucoma or hypotony)
• Early cataract formation
• Inflammation
• Loss of visual acuity or blindness

There is nothing wrong with a doctor prescribing a drug for “off-label” treatment. In fact, it is quite common for physicians to use their expertise and training to find alternative uses for marketed drugs based on the pharmaceutical medication’s stated action.

Avastin works by blocking vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF. Blocking this substance assists in preventing the overgrowth of blood vessels and blood supply which can be a contributing factor in many eye diseases and in feeding cancer. Eye conditions which are based on an overgrowth of blood vessels and/or leaking blood vessels include wet macular degeneration, histoplasmosis, angioid streaks, and high myopia.

The leakage of these blood vessels, if not controlled, can lead to partial or full blindness. Avastin treatment has proven to be effective in providing that control. But it is important that the hypodermic needles come from a compounding pharmacy that ensures sterility of the preparation process.

If you or a loved one have had the experience of Avastin eye floaters after treatment that has led to further complications, you may be able to file a legal claim. Successful plaintiffs may receive a monetary award.

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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