LONG-TIME OUTCOME IN PATIENTS TREATED WITH RANIBIZUMAB FOR DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA: A 4-Year Study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the long-time visual outcome in patients with diabetic macular edema treated with ranibizumab in an ordinary clinical setting.


METHODS
One hundred two eyes of 80 patients were followed for 4 years. All patients received a loading dose of 3 monthly ranibizumab 0.5-mg injections. From Month 3 to Month 48, patients received ranibizumab reinjections pro re nata based on disease activity.


RESULTS
Excluding deaths, the 4-year visit was completed by 82% of the study eyes. The best-corrected visual acuity improved by 6.6 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters at 4 years (P < 0.001). The patients received a mean of 7.7 ± 3.4 ranibizumab injections for 4 years. The number of injections (mean ± SD) given were 4.7 (1.1), 1.4 (1.4), 0.7 (1.1), and 0.9 (1.4) during Years 1 to 4, respectively. No difference in the injections needed was seen between patients who had previously received focal/grid laser and treatment-naive subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The gain in the best-corrected visual acuity achieved after the initial loading dose was sustained over time with a pro re nata regimen. The number of injections needed to maintain the best-corrected visual acuity was low during the study period.
Karolinska Institutet, St Erik Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
David
D
Epstein
Urban
U
Amrén
D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D000069579:Ranibizumab / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000069579:Ranibizumab