Avastin, known generically as bevacizumab, is a chemotherapy drug used in combination with other medicines to treat cancer. It is typically used to affect a particular type of brain tumor and cancers located in the abdominal and pelvic cavity such as rectum, cervix, ovary, fallopian tube, kidney, and colon cancers.

Avastin has been used in “off-label” capacities by physicians as well. While a drug manufacturing company cannot advertise or promote such uses, certain uses have become linked to Avastin eye injection complications.

Ophthalmologists have used compounding pharmacies to divide a vial of Avastin designed for use in one cancer treatment into a multitude of mini doses suitable for use in the eye.

Avastin eye injection complications have ensued as a result of this practice, which can introduce contamination if not done in the most precise and sterile fashion.

Bacterial infections of the eyes resulting from a compromised facility occurred in 2011 in Florida, according to a New York Times blog post. These bacterial infections resulted in full blindness in a number of patients and in one patient caused brain damage after spreading to brain tissue.

Other Avastin eye injection complications include silicone oil “floating” particulates in the eyes. Syringes prepared by compounding pharmacies are often not designed for use in the eye. The barrel, plunger and needle of syringes used by these pharmacies are sometimes coated with a silicone oil that can leach into the medication and end up in the eye.

Avastin eye injection complications from silicone oil have been implicated in retinal tearing, retinal detachment, glaucoma, hypotony, corneal damage, development of cataracts, swelling, and intraocular pressure increases. In spite of these implications, many ophthalmologists swear by Avastin, believing that such instances are rare.

Avastin Eye Injection Complications and Cost vs. Benefit Analysis

Avastin eye injections are used by ophthalmologists in an “off label” fashion to treat eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, macular degeneration, and retinal vein occlusion. It can be a very effective treatment and low cost at approximately $50 a treatment.

Another drug that is similar to Avastin and labeled for use in the eye is called Lucentis. It is manufactured by the same company as Avastin but is far more expensive at an enormous cost of $2,000 per treatment.

It costs insurance companies more including government insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid, but it may present less of a risk of complications.

If you feel that you or a loved one have experienced uncomfortable or even serious Avastin eye injection complications, a consultation with a products liability lawyer may reveal how you might qualify for compensation now or in the future.  

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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