bevacizumab

I only ever had one such injection and then I was advised to have Eyelea (I think that’s how it is spelled). No side effects from the one injection and none from the 9-10 Eyelea ones. Perhaps you could enquire re Eyelea?

all the best with it

Thanks for the info on this which I raised with the consultant last week. Essentially no real difference between either drug. As expected the localised application of bevacizumab and quantity involved is envisaged to significantly minimise risks though. No specific side effect studies for eye therapeutic treatment seem to be available though.

Bottom line is that I will be following the proposed treatment and crossing fingers and other appendages as usual

BR

D

Thought I'd update folk as to where this has travelled to.

The focus of my concerns related to two main possible consequential aspects; high blood pressure and, associated with that, an increased risk of stroke. The associated literature to the drug is clear on these as risks, however, in judging this for yourself I indicate the following: the literature is all encompassing and that means it looks at its use for other cancers and where given in larger doses intravenously.

The use for eyes means the dose is minimal in comparison, and it is not being given directly into the blood supply. As such, whilst the risks aren't zero they are significantly reduced.

The procedure itself whilst it is a little unsettling as to thinking of an injection into the eye, it is done in such a way as I didn't see the needle (important as I am not a "needles" person) and felt only pressure rather than pain. (anaesthetic drops are given during the process).

Some initial notice of "bubbles" in the vision which quickly dispersed.

A few days of lubricant drops and over night eye shield for a week ish.

Starting on a basis of course of 3, 6 weeks between each, and monitor progress and value in continuing.

The only issue was that it was a particularly bright day which meant vision was messed up more than usual from dilation drops! (And I had forgotten to take my usual cap)

Hope this is informative for anyone considering this.

Thought I'd add a penultimate post for my experience with this to date. The 3rd and final injection/dose has now been administered.

Encouragingly, whilst my local opthalmology had noted some likely PBT related blood vessel issues pre treatment, between first and second injections, the consultant at Moorfields indicated none visible on examination.

The drug on that basis would appear to be working.

A fuller exam having had the full course will be a couple of months off now.

One year on from initial diagnosis, my pre appointment eye chart exams show I can still read the bottom line with my glasses on equally well so encouraging at least for today. It was made clear at the outset that radiotherapy effects don't fully manifest until about 24 months, so I will take what I can while I can.

When looking to the side of my impacted eye, vision is a little lazy to focus now and so 12 months on, this would probably suggest it's about the best it will be ever again, but it could be so much worse.

It is also encouraging that new treatment approaches seem to come up on a regular basis. I hope of course I won't need to access any of them, but should it be needed, there are signs of a degree of hope out there.

I will add one more to this thread once the anticipated appointment has been held.

Keep hanging in there folks.

D