title: RECURRENCE IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 3 NEOVASCULARIZATION (RETINAL ANGIOMATOUS PROLIFERATION) AFTER INTRAVITREAL RANIBIZUMAB.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the incidence, timing, and characteristics of recurrence in patients with Type 3 neovascularization who were initially treated with ranibizumab.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study included 42 patients (42 eyes) who were diagnosed with Type 3 neovascularization and treated with 3 monthly injections of ranibizumab. The 12-month follow-up data of these patients were analyzed. The time of recurrence after the initial treatment was recorded. In eyes with recurrence, the association of the duration until the first recurrence and the incidence of multiple recurrences was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the 12 months, recurrence was noted in 32 patients (76.2%), with 20 experiencing multiple recurrences. The first recurrence occurred (mean ± SD) 5.3 ± 1.8 months (range, 2-9 months) after the third ranibizumab injection. The first recurrence was noted in 20 eyes (62.5%) at 4 months to 6 months after the third injection. A significantly higher incidence of multiple recurrences was noted in patients who experienced their first recurrence less than 6 months after the third injection (13 of 16 eyes, 83.3%) compared with patients who had their first recurrence 6 or more months after the third injection (5 of 14 eyes, 35.7%) (P = 0.011).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recurrence did not occur in 23.8% of the patients with Type 3 neovascularization who were initially treated with 3 monthly ranibizumab injections. Close follow-up examination may be needed 4 months to 6 months after the third ranibizumab injection. The close follow-up or continuous injection may also be required for patients with early first recurrences.
authors: *Department of Ophthalmology, Kim's Eye Hospital, Konyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; and †Department of Ophthalmology, Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
authors: Jae Hui
authors: JH
authors: Kim
authors: Young Suk
authors: YS
authors: Chang
authors: Jong Woo
authors: JW
authors: Kim
authors: Chul Gu
authors: CG
authors: Kim
authors: Dong Won
authors: DW
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D000069579:Ranibizumab / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012008:Recurrence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000069579:Ranibizumab