Tractional retinal detachment after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

To assess the short-term complications of a single dose of intravitreal bevacizumab in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Retrospective review of 343 patients with PDR who were treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (2.5 mg/0.1 mL). Five patients (1.45%) presented tractional retinal detachment 1 to 6 weeks (mean 3 weeks) after intravitreal injection. All cases underwent pars plana vitrectomy, removal of all epiretinal fibrovascular membranes, further endolaser panretinal photocoagulation, and silicone tamponade. Tractional retinal detachment may occur in a short time post intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy with extensive areas of ischemia and fibrovascular proliferations, and may require prompt vitreoretinal surgery.