Published: January 16, 2025
Journal: JAMA Ophthalmology
DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.5884
A Brief Summary of Study:
This study checked if patients keep their anti-VEGF eye injection drugs cold enough at home. These drugs treat eye conditions like macular degeneration, but they need to stay between 2°C and 8°C (in the fridge) to work properly and stay safe. The researchers gave 50 patients a temperature tracker with their medicine and looked at how well they stored it before bringing it to the doctor for an eye injection. They found that many didn’t keep it cold enough, which could cause problems.
The Study:
The study happened at Dijon University Hospital in France from May 27 to June 7, 2024. It included patients getting anti-VEGF drugs (like ranibizumab, aflibercept, or faricimab) for eye diseases. Each patient got a temperature indicator that changed color if the drug went above 8°C for short (2-12 hours), medium (12-48 hours), or long (48+ hours) times. Pharmacists activated the tracker when patients picked up their medicine.
Here’s what they found:
- Out of 50 patients, 38 came back with usable trackers. Most were women (63%), and the average age was about 79.
- Every single tracker showed the drug got too warm (above 8°C)!
- 26 patients (68%) had it warm for 12 to 48 hours, and 11 (29%) for 48 hours or more. Only 1 was warm for less than 12 hours.
- Luckily, no one had eye problems like inflammation or infection after their injections.
What It Means:
All the drugs got too warm at some point, which isn’t good. If anti-VEGF drugs aren’t kept cold, they might not work as well, or they could even cause issues like inflammation in the eye. In France, patients pick up these drugs from pharmacies and take them home, unlike some places where hospitals handle it. This study shows that patients might need more help learning how to store their medicine properly.
Why It’s Important:
Anti-VEGF injections have been a game-changer for eye diseases, helping people keep their sight. But if the drugs get too warm, they could lose power or cause rare side effects like eye inflammation—something seen more with newer drugs like faricimab. This study is a wake-up call: we need to make sure these medicines stay cold from the pharmacy to the doctor’s office.
Takeaway for Eye Lovers:
If you or someone you know uses anti-VEGF shots for eye problems, this matters! Keeping the medicine in the fridge is super important. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about how to store it right—your eyes deserve the best care!