Many patients opt to receive a newer treatment to try and slow the progression of eye disease like macular degeneration. But some patients report seeing floaters after Avastin injection procedures, caused by silicone in the syringe.

Avastin, generically known as bevacizumab, is currently a medication approved as a treatment for cancer. However, doctors have come to understand that it is a beneficial treatment to stop the progression of some kinds of eye diseases.

Avastin has been used to treat such eye conditions as macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema.

It is important to note that when a doctor uses Avastin for this use, it is used “off-label,” or not for its approved use. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Avastin for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

If a ophthalmologist injects Avastin into the eye of someone who is suffering from a progressive eye disease such as macular degeneration, it has been found to stop the growth of abnormal eye vessels.

Avastin inhibits a substance known as vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF. Blocking VEGF can help block the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the back of the eye, which exacerbates certain eye conditions.

The medication itself is not the main problem, however. The method of delivery has been under scrutiny by doctors and the medical community because many patients have been complaining of eye floaters after Avastin injection procedures.

Avastin, when it is injected into the eye, has to be administered through a syringe. The syringe is lubricated with silicone oil and may not be intended for eye injections. This oil is in the interior of the syringe and on the needle itself. When Avastin is injected into the eye of a patient, that silicone can find its way into the medication itself because of the syringe it has been stored in.

The longer Avastin is stored inside these pre-filled syringes, the more of a chance there is for the silicone to migrate from the syringe, plunger or needle to the medication.

This silicone can create floaters in the eye of the patient. Eye floaters after Avastin injection treatment can be dangerous. They can create such complications as increased intraocular pressure, inflammation, infection, retinal tearing, retinal detachment and the formation of cataracts.

Additionally, silicone eye floaters after Avastin injection procedures can either dangerously increase or decrease the pressure in the eye, damage the cornea and at times, precede vision loss or damage.

Not only do silicone eye floaters after Avastin injection treatment result, but infections from the injection itself have been reported as well.

Because Avastin is added in small amounts to syringes for injection, the risk of infection is increased. Because of bacteria that the patient can be exposed to in the vials of the medication, several patients have reported complete vision loss.

If you or someone you love has experienced silicone eye floaters after Avastin injection procedures, you may benefit from speaking with an experienced attorney.

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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