Avastin silicone floaters have become a concern across the country, with the problem stemming from the lubricants used on the needles.

According to injury reports, Avastin silicone floaters are caused when particles of silicone lubricant shed into the eye during the injection and cause eyesight problems.

Avastin (bevacizumab) is a medication used to treat certain eye diseases that was first utilized as a cancer treatment drug. The eyesight conditions this drug can be used for include macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular edema and diabetic retinopathy.

This is because Avastin can be used to help control the development of abnormal blood vessels, which allows the cancer to progress. After discovering Avastin had similar effects on the eyes, doctors began prescribing the medication for this use.

Even though the FDA has only approved Avastin for cancer treatment, it is common for doctors to prescribe Avastin for off label purposes.

It is important to note that the syringes used in Avastin eye treatments may not be meant for eye injections. Avastin silicone floaters stem from the needles used for the injections and the preparation process rather than the drug itself. Before the drug is injected into the eyes, the syringes used for Avastin injections are lubricated with silicone oil prepared by compound pharmacists.

Overview of Avastin Silicone Floaters

The silicone oil is used to lubricate the barrel and plungers of the needles so the drug can be injected smoothly into the eye. When the silicone oil leaks into the patients’ eyes, Avastin silicone floaters may be left behind. Often these Avastin silicone floaters look like air bubbles in the eyes.

It has been reported that one of the primary contributing factors of Avastin silicone floaters is how the syringes are prepared. The longer the syringes stay in the pharmacies, the more likely that silicone oils are seeping into the medication. Additionally, some wonder if compound pharmacies have acted negligently by allowing for potential infection. In addition, the oil particles themselves could be contaminated with bacterial cells after the syringe preparation environment sterility is compromised.

These syringes are filled and prepared by compound pharmacists, which are then sent to ophthalmologists to be injected. For syringes that sit in storage for weeks, the silicone oil may leak into the medication and ultimately be injected into the patient’s eyes.

Bacterial infections of the eye were reported in Florida and Tennessee in 2011 due to bacterial contamination of the syringes. One of the patients became brain damaged due to the bacterial infection spreading to the brain.

Other complications reported in conjunction with Avastin silicone floaters include:

• Increased intraocular pressure
• Inflammation
• Bacterial infection
• Retinal tearing
• Retinal detachment
• Cataract formation
• Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
• Hypotony (reduced pressure in the eye)
• Corneal damage
• Vision loss and blindness
• Other eyesight complications

Patients who allegedly suffered side effects from Avastin silicone floaters may be able to file legal action towards the manufacturer. Potential claimants should contact a lawyer to determine eligibility for an Avastin eye injections lawsuit.

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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