Intravitreal bevacizumab increases intraocular interleukin-6 levels at 1Â day after injection in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

► Changes in intraocular cytokines after an injection of anti-VEGF in DR were evaluated. ► VEGF was decreased at day 1 and the decrease sustained through day 7. ► IL-6 showed a sharp increase at day 1 and decreased at day 7. ► TGF-β2 showed higher levels at day 7 compared to day 1. ► Anti-VEGF aggravates intraocular inflammation and IL-6 may mediate this effect.