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Combination of ranibizumab and navigated retinal photocoagulation in diabetic macular edema, compared to ranibizumab mono‐therapy: Twelve month results
Author(s) -
KERNT M
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2013.4712.x
Subject(s) - ranibizumab , medicine , ophthalmology , diabetic macular edema , visual acuity , pro re nata , retinal , bevacizumab , diabetic retinopathy , surgery , diabetes mellitus , chemotherapy , endocrinology
Abstract Purpose To evaluate the number of anti‐VEGF injections needed in DME patients using a protocol with navigated laser Methods A consecutive series of 76 eyes with DME were included and randomized into 3 groups: 1. Ranibizumab monotherapy (n=27; using an observation and retreatment paradigm for anti‐VEGF therapy that is compliant with the European Public Assessment Report (EPAR, European Medicines Agency) for ranibizumab), 2. Three consecutive monthly ranibizumab injections followed by navigated laser therapy, then application of the observation and retreatment paradigm as in group “1” (n=15), 3. Monthly ranibizumab injection until central retinal thickness (CRT) was reduced to 450µm (Spectralis OCT) then navigated laser therapy followed by the application of the observation and retreatment paradigm as in group “1” (n=34). Subjects were followed monthly (best corrected Visual acuity (BCVA), CRT) for 12month, to assess the number of anti‐VEGF injections required to maintain stable clinical improvement. Results After 12 month BCVA increased and in all three investigated groups significantly (group 1: 6.3 ±6.77; group 2: 7.1 ±8.22; group 3: 7.4 ±7.53 letters). To achieve these results, after an upload of three consecutive monthly applied ranibizumab injections, ranibizumab mono‐therapy group (group 1) needed 5.2 ± 3.2 injections. In contrast, group 2 and 3 nedded significantly less ranibizumab injections (0.5 ± 0.8 and 0.8 ± 1.1, p<0.001). Conclusion Combining anti‐VEGF with navigated laser showed similar visual improvements compared to anti‐VEGF monotherapy with significantly fewer injections.Commercial interest