Retinal pigment epithelium tear after intravitreal bevacizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To report on the development of retinal pigment epithelium tears after intravitreal injections of bevacizumab as treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Design: Interventional case series.

Methods: The study included 63 patients who received an intravitreal injection of 1.5 mg bevacizumab as treatment of a detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium attributable to AMD and who had a follow-up of at least two months.

Results: Four patients (6%) developed a tear of the retinal pigment epithelium in the parafoveal region. Compared with the baseline value, visual acuity at the end of follow-up remained stable in three patients and declined in the fourth patient.

Conclusions: Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab may be followed by a tear of the retinal pigment epithelium in eyes with exudative AMD and a retinal pigment epithelium detachment.