Have you noticed you were left with an air bubble in the eye after receiving an Avastin injection? This issue may be the result of silicone oil leaking into the injection, which can leave silicone floaters in the eye.

Some patients may perceive this as an air bubble in the eye instead of silicone. After an Avastin injection, a silicone floater or air bubble in the eye left behind can cause some serious problems though it may initially seem harmless. Patients who notice what they believe to be an air bubble in the eye may later experience more serious complications.

Avastin Silicone Eye Injections

Avastin, also sold under the generic name bevacizumab, is used as a treatment for a variety of eye diseases including macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy. Avastin was initially approved by the FDA as a medication for cancer treatment. Its use for eye diseases is actually prescribed off-label. Its only FDA-approved use as of yet is for cancer treatment.

Healthcare providers have discretion to write off-label prescriptions for drugs like Avastin. The issue with Avastin is not in the drug itself, but actually in the injection preparation, which may be linked with silicone floaters being left in the eye.

Silicone floaters, which some patients may believe to be an air bubble in the eye, can cause serious problems for Avastin patients.

Complications of Avastin

While it is common for medications to come with certain complications or side effects, the eye air bubble problem linked with Avastin is less about the drug itself and more about the preparation process for the syringe.

Avastin eye injections use a pre-filled syringe that may have spent days or even several weeks being stored on shelves after pharmacies make the purchase from a distributor.

The syringes are lubricated on all components—the barrel, needle, and plunger—with a kind of silicone oil. As the syringes sit waiting to be used, particles of the silicone oil may migrate over time into the injection itself. Silicone oil can mix with Avastin, and when the drug is eventually injected into a patient’s eye, silicone floaters can appear.

Some patients may believe that a silicone floater is simply an air bubble in the eye and won’t think too much of it. But this seemingly minor issue can actually lead to a number of serious problems, including:

• Increased intraocular pressure
• Inflammation
• Infection (endophthalmitis)
• Retinal tearing
• Retinal detachment
• Cataract formation
• Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
• Hypotony (reduced pressure in the eye)
• Corneal damage
• Vision loss/blindness
• Other sight-related complications

Filing a Lawsuit Over an Air Bubble in the Eye After Avastin Injection

If you or someone you love has suffered from serious complications caused by silicone eye floaters after Avastin injection, such as infection, inflammation, or others, you may be able to file a lawsuit. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by these side effects, but it can help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses and lost wages.

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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