Seeing a black spot after eye injection or even several may occur for those being treated with Avastin, a chemotherapy drug that has been re-purposed by ophthalmologists to manage several diseases of the eye.

Avastin, still used to treat cancer, has been used for some time as a treatment for macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion. Some patients report a black spot after eye injection treatments.

These interventions are called “off-label” uses and are entirely legal, even though they are not the uses approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Many eye problems exist because of an overgrowth of blood vessels on or near the back of the eye or retinal area. Avastin blocks the body’s production of VEGF, a chemical that allows this vessel overgrowth to go on without interruption.

With VEGF production considerably slowed, additional blood supply via vessel overgrowth comes to a halt. This mechanism of action helps cut off the “food supply” for rapidly-reproducing cancer cells as well.

Seeing a black spot after eye injection is more related to the method of drug delivery than the drug itself. Because Avastin is not intended to be used for the eye, its doses are not set up for this kind of administration. Eye doctors must contract with compounding pharmacies to set up doses appropriate for eye uses.

The syringes used by these compounding pharmacies are not necessarily intended for use in the vitreous part of the eye. The needle, barrel, and plunger often are lubricated with silicone oil.

This silicone oil can migrate into the drug prior to administration. Unfortunately, freezing the product for storage does nothing to retard this process and, in fact, increases the risk. Seeing one black spot after eye injection or several is the consequence of this silicone oil making it into the eye.

In addition to seeing a black spot after eye injection, other recipients of this treatment may see what looks like an air bubble or two. This is just another experience of the same silicone oil migration.

Silicone oil in the eye can lead to a variety of secondary complications. It can make a patient more prone to infection, inflammation, increased or decreased pressure in the eye, or damage to the cornea.

In 2011, the FDA recalled syringes from several compounding pharmacies after serious eye infections were traced back to them in the State of Florida and the State of Tennessee.

Because of these infections, one sufferer lost their vision in its entirety. Another sufferer became brain-damaged after the infection spread into his skull cavity.

Although these situations are rare anymore, it is important that you speak with your eye doctor before agreeing to treatment with Avastin. Seeing a black spot after eye injection is relatively minor compared to the complications to which this side effect can lead. Patients who end up with an Avastin floater may qualify to join a free Avastin class action investigation.

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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