title: Effect of ranibizumab retreatment frequency on neurosensory retinal volume in neovascular amd.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the characteristics of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration who show initial anatomic improvements on optical coherence tomography in response to treatment with ranibizumab, but who subsequently regress toward their anatomic baseline.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 50 consecutive patients, receiving ranibizumab therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration, were collected. Raw StratusOCT images were analyzed using custom software ("OCTOR"). Changes in volume of neurosensory retina at months 1, 3, and 6 were calculated. Baseline demographic and morphologic characteristics were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-two patients (84%) showed a reduction in total retinal volume 1 month after initial treatment with ranibizumab. Of the patients that initially showed a reduction, 16 (38%) maintained this reduction through month 6, whereas 26 patients (62%) demonstrated a subsequent increase in retinal volume. Patients who maintained a reduction in edema received 3.75 +/- 1.18 injections of ranibizumab versus 2.96 +/- 1.34 injections for patients who did not (P = 0.049). Regression of initial anatomic improvements was associated with worsening of visual acuity (r = 0.599, P = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients receiving fewer injections of ranibizumab appeared less likely to maintain anatomic improvements achieved following commencement of ranibizumab therapy; regression of these improvements was associated with deterioration in visual acuity.
authors.affiliation: Doheny Image Reading Center, Doheny Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Pearse A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Keane
authors.forename: Karen T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liakopoulos
authors.forename: Renu V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Jivrajka
authors.forename: Alexander C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Srinivas R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Sadda
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology*; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014822:Vitreous Body
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000069579:Ranibizumab