Avastin eye injection risks may lead to serious optic complications when the drug is used for off label treatment purposes. Even though this drug is approved by the FDA to treat certain types of cancer, it can also be used to treat certain eye conditions. But this use of the drug may also create Avastin eye injection risks.

Many patients have reported experiencing complications after Avastin injection due to leftover silicone oil particles in the patient’s eyes. Other Avastin eye injection risks include but are not limited to:

• Increased Intraocular Pressure
• Inflammation
• Infection (Endophthalmitis)
• Retinal Tearing
• Retinal Detachment
• Cataract Formation
• Glaucoma (increased eye pressure)
• Hypotony (reduced eye pressure)
• Corneal Damage
• Vision Loss or Blindness

Overview of Avastin Eye Injection Risks

Avastin (bevacizumab) is approved to treat cancer.  It has recently gained popularity in treating certain eye diseases including macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy. Avastin is commonly used to treat eyesight deterioration, but inhibiting the development of abnormal blood vessels.

Avastin is given through injection, often through the patient’s ophthalmologist. Even though numerous patients have opted to use the drug for eyesight conditions, the FDA has not approved the drug for such treatment purposes. However it is not the core ingredient, bevacizumab, causing many Avastin eye injection risks but rather the syringes used during the injections.

These syringes are specially prepared by pharmacies that have purchased these syringes from distributors. These syringes may not be specifically designed for use in eye injections. Having the injection prepared in a compounding pharmacy, as opposed to in a more controlled factory environment, may raise the risk of contamination.

The syringes themselves have been lucubrated in different parts with silicone oil, including the barrel and plunger. The silicone oil acts as a lubricant for the syringe, which is meant to make a helpful transition when entering the eye. However this silicone oil can allow for potential Avastin eye injection risks, as the silicone oil can potentially mix with the bevacizumab ingredient.

Avastin eye injections may not be used right away. The longer they sit in storage, the greater the risk of complications, and the chances of Avastin eye injection risks increases even more when the syringe is frozen before use. These Avastin eye injections can go weeks before being used, which gives the silicone oil the chance to migrate to the bevacizumab component.

Bacterial contamination is also a possible risk, with two reported cases from Florida and Tennessee in 2011. As a result of the bacterial infections, some patients have reportedly lost their vision permanently.

One patient reportedly suffered brain damage due to the bacterial infection spreading to the brain. These bacterial infections allegedly led the FDA to announce a recall of the syringes that were prepared by certain pharmacies. The source of the bacteria allegedly stems from the preparation process by the pharmacies.

Did you Suffer Complications from Avastin Silicone Eye Injections?

Patients who allegedly sustained eyesight damages allegedly due to Avastin eye injection risks may be able to seek compensation for their injuries through legal action. Potential claimants should contact a lawyer to determine eligibility.

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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