Long-term outcomes of the intravitreal injection of ranibizumab for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To analyze the long-term outcomes and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab injections in myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

METHODS:

A retrospective non-randomized analysis of consecutive cases included 17 eyes from 17 patients with subfoveal myopic CNV, treated with intravitreal ranibizumab with at least 30-month follow-up. The patients received three injections monthly, followed by pro re nata regimen. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography were carried out at the baseline and at monthly intervals thereafter.

RESULTS:

Mean follow-up period was 51 months (range 30-98 months). In 12 patients (70.6%), BCVA improved by at least 1 Snellen line, with at least 3-line improvement observed in the case of 8 eyes (47%). Mean central foveal thickness (CFT) decreased from 384.65 ± 103.3 µm at the baseline to 264 ± 86.2 µm at the last follow-up examination (p < 0.001). The final OCT examination revealed 59% (10/17) eyes with CNV-related macular atrophy. Mean number of injections over the follow-up period was 4.82 ± 2.04 per person. Nine patients (53%) required re-injection of the anti-VEGF agent; the mean number of re-injections in this group was 3.44 ± 1.34 per person (range 2-6). No significant adverse events were recorded during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS:

Intravitreal ranibizumab is an effective and safe treatment for CNV secondary to pathologic myopia, contributing to long-term vision improvement and CFT reduction.

• Authors: Ewa Wasiluk, Malgorzata Wojnar, Iwona Obuchowska, Zofia Mariak
• Journal: International ophthalmology (Int Ophthalmol) Vol. 40 Issue 4 Pg. 833-839 (Apr 2020) ISSN: 1573-2630 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 31788714 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Ranibizumab

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Angiogenesis Inhibitors (administration & dosage)
• Choroidal Neovascularization (diagnosis)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Intravitreal Injections
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Myopia, Degenerative (complications, physiopathology)
• Ranibizumab (administration & dosage)
• Retrospective Studies
• Time Factors
• Tomography, Optical Coherence
• Treatment Outcome
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Visual Acuity
• Young Adult