Cancer drug could prevent blindness in preemies

But because so many adults with cancer have taken the drug, and the dose used in the babies’ eyes was very small, “it seems reasonable to assume” that the Avastin injections are safe and at least as safe as laser treatment, Reynolds said in the editorial.

But the fact that the injections seem to be free of side effects in the eye does not mean they’re always safe, he said, adding, “The timing of the injection is critical.”

Injection too early may interfere with blood vessel growth, whereas injection too late may lead to retinal damage.

Mintz-Hittner said the findings will be particularly important in countries where more premature babies are surviving but monitors are not available to prevent the newborns from being exposed too much oxygen, which sets the stage for the disease.

“I think it’s going to be embraced pretty quickly and widely accepted,” she said.

SOURCE:  New England Journal of Medicine, online February 16, 2011.