Ranibizumab Vs Bevacizumab for Type 1 Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with inadequate growth and development of retinal blood vessels in premature infants is one of the foremost reasons for childhood blindness. Recently there is a shift of treatment to VEGF inhibitors which can regress ROP without destroying the peripheral retina. Yet, the best drug has not been identified.Bevacizumab is a larger, full-length immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecule with slower retinal clearance and therefore prolonged diffusion into the systemic circulation, up to 3 weeks. In contrast, the systemic half-life of a Fab molecule, such as ranibizumab, is a few hours. The objective is to compare the efficacy and reliability of intravitreal bevacizumab with standard 0.625 mg dose and intravitreal ranibizumab treatments for type 1 ROP, namely pattern of disease regression, recurrence of ROP, necessity of subsequent ablative procedures.