Visual outcome of ranibizumab therapy for neovascular age related macular degeneration in the black population: a report of five cases.
BACKGROUND
Neovascular age related macular degeneration (AMD) is relatively uncommon in the black population. We report the 12-month outcome of ranibizumab therapy in five black patients with choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) secondary to AMD.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of a prospective audit database maintained for all patients on ranibizumab therapy in a retinal specialist unit that caters to a multi-ethnic cohort in London, United Kingdom.


RESULTS
At 12 months, all the 5 patients maintained stable vision (loss of less than 15 ETDRS letters). However, none of them gained more than 15 ETDRS letters. All eyes showed early subretinal fibrosis while 2 patients showed extended areas of retinal pigment atrophy.


CONCLUSIONS
Our case studies indicate that ranibizumab stabilizes the vision in black patients with CNV secondary to AMD but they tend to develop early subretinal fibrosis and retinal pigment atrophy.
Vemala
Roopa
R
Laser and Retinal Research Unit, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, UK.
Gupta
Bhaskar
B
Sivaprasad
Sobha
S
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