Ranibizumab monotherapy for sub-foveal haemorrhage secondary to choroidal neovascularisation in age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
In a retrospective review, the functional effects of intra-vitreal ranibizumab monotherapy in patients with sub-foveal haemorrhage secondary to choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) are reported.


METHODS
Twelve eyes of 12 patients were treated with intra-vitreal ranibizumab (0.5 mg in 0.05 ml) in accordance with current practice. Follow-up was arranged at monthly intervals. Eleven patients completed 6 months and seven completed 12 months of follow-up. Duration of haemorrhage, lesion size, ETDRS letter score at baseline, and follow-up were analysed.


RESULTS
The mean time for complete clearance of sub-retinal haemorrhage was 4.7 months (range 3-7 months). After 6 months, visual acuity was stable or improved in 7 of 11 eyes and the mean change in ETDRS letter score was +7.6 letters (P>0.05). After 12 months, visual acuity was stable or improved in five of seven eyes and the mean change in ETDRS letter score was +7.3 letters (P>0.05). For the seven cases with 12 months of follow-up, a mean of six injections were given. Two patients had a decrease in acuity of >15 ETDRS letters during follow-up. No other local or systemic side-effects were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Intra-vitreal ranibizumab monotherapy may be an effective treatment for sub-foveal haemorrhage secondary to CNV in ARMD.
McKibbin
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Clinic, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK. martin.mckibbin@leedsth.nhs.uk
Papastefanou
V
V
Matthews
B
B
Cook
H
H
Downey
L
L
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 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069579:Ranibizumab