Short-term intraocular pressure trends following intravitreal Pegaptanib (Macugen) injection

PURPOSE: To report the changes and trends in intraocular pressures (IOP) following intravitreal injection of Pegaptanib (Macugen) for the treatment of exudative age, related macular degeneration. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Review of 79 patients who underwent 122 consecutive Pegaptanib injections. Analysis of the short, term effect of Pegaptanib injections on IOP was performed. RESULTS: Baseline mean IOP was 15.73 +/- 3.41 mm Hg (mean +/- standard deviation) with a range of 9 to 27 mm Hg. Postinjection mean IOP was 24.47 +/- 6.29 mm Hg with a range of 8 to 36 mm Hg. Mean IOP change from baseline to roughly 30 minutes after Pegaptanib injection was 8.74 +/- 7.23 trim Hg. At the 5- to 7,day follow-up visit, IOP had normalized. CONCLUSIONS: Pegaptanib injection in this limited series seems to be safe from an IOP standpoint in the short-term. IOP monitoring postinjection may not be necessary.