Diabetic patients benefit from intravitreal bevacizumab injections after cataract surgery

Diabetic patients who undergo cataract surgery may lessen the likelihood of macular edema by undergoing post-op injections of intravitreal injections of bevacizumab. Diabetic patients are at an increased risk of developing cataracts and in fact, 20% of all cataract surgery patients are diabetic.

A recent study conducted by Dr. El Habbak at Benha University in Banha, Egypt examined 100 eyes of 65 patients who had been diabetic for more than 10 years, and had no evidence of diabetic maculopathy. 

Prior to the cataract surgery, central macular thickness (CMT) was measured and then again three months post-op using optical coherence tomography. Results demonstrated a decrease in the participants who received the intravitreal bevacizumab and a notable increase in CMT in the control group. Dr. Habbak noted that bevacizumab inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor which is a contributing factor in cystoid macular edema.