Time course of morphologic effects on different retinal compartments after ranibizumab therapy in age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the effect of ranibizumab therapy on retinal and subretinal compartments in age-related macular degeneration and to compare the time course of compartment specific effects to visual function.


METHODS
Prospective noncomparative case series.


METHODS
Fourteen patients with changes in 3 major compartments owing to neovascular age-related macular degeneration.


METHODS
Standard treatment with 3 monthly doses of intravitreal ranibizumab was performed. Eyes were examined at baseline and weeks 1, 4, and 12 using a standardized protocol. Manual segmentation was applied to all 128 B-scans contained in a macular raster scan (MRS).


METHODS
Morphology and time course of different retinal and subretinal compartments.


RESULTS
High-definition optical coherence tomography and manual segmentation allowed for precise identification of volumes within individual compartments. All morphologic parameters responded positively to therapy, but demonstrated a specific time course. Subretinal fluid was identified as the most relevant factor for visual function, whereas changes in retinal and subpigment epithelial volumes did not correlate with the time course of functional rehabilitation.


CONCLUSIONS
Analysis of MRS identified a characteristic impact of therapy on retinal and subretinal morphology.
Ahlers
Christian
C
Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Golbaz
Isabelle
I
Stock
Geraldine
G
Fous
Alexander
A
Kolar
Sheila
S
Pruente
Christian
C
Schmidt-Erfurth
Ursula
U
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007267:Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000069579:Ranibizumab