The Process of Retinal Vascularization after Anti-VEGF Treatment in Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Comparison Study between Ranibizumab and Bevacizumab.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects on the process of retinal vascularization of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) and intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in the treatment of severe retinopathy of prematurity.


METHODS
The present study is a bi-centered retrospective study. While 44 eyes of 22 patients in group 1 were applied 0.625 mg bevacizumab, 46 eyes of 23 patients in group 2 were applied 0.25 mg ranibizumab. Retinal vascularization was evaluated clinically.


RESULTS
The mean time for completion of vascularization was found to be postmenstrual 55.93 ± 4.13 weeks in group 1 and 56.30 ± 4.30 weeks in group 2. There were signiﬁcant differences in the recurrence prevalence between the two groups. The prevalence of recurrence was found to be significantly higher in the ranibizumab group than in the bevacizumab group (p = 0.023).


CONCLUSIONS
The study showed that after IVR or IVB treatment, vascularization could be completed with delay; there were no differences in this delay time between the ranibizumab and bevacizumab groups. Besides, avascular areas may remain in the peripheral retina, and additional treatment may be necessary after IVB or IVR treatment. When the treatment was applied as monotherapy, more recurrence was observed in the ranibizumab group.
Department of Ophthalmology, Turkish Republic Ministry of Health Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey.
Emine
E
Alyamaç Sukgen
Aysegül
A
Çömez
Yusuf
Y
Koçluk
Selim
S
Cevher
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000068258:Bevacizumab / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D000069579:Ranibizumab / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012160:Retina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab