Effects of ranibizumab in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization attributable to age-related macular degeneration.
Am J Ophthalmol 2009;
147:831-7. [PMID:
19217019 DOI:
10.1016/j.ajo.2008.12.005]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2008] [Revised: 12/01/2008] [Accepted: 12/03/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
To demonstrate not only prevention of vision loss but also improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after treatment with ranibizumab on a variable-dosing regimen over 24 months in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
DESIGN
Interventional case series.
METHODS
SETTING
Institutional.
STUDY POPULATION
One hundred and thirty-eight eyes of 138 patients treated intravitreally with 0.5 mg ranibizumab (Lucentis; Novartis, Basel, Switzerland). Age above 50 years, BCVA 0.2 to 1.2 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR), primary or recurrent subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to AMD.
OBSERVATION PROCEDURES
After single initial treatment, monthly follow-up examination. Retreatment in case of one of the following: sign of subretinal fluid or intraretinal edema, increase in central retinal thickness (CRT) on optical coherence tomography (OCT), active CNV on fluorescein angiography, increase of metamorphopsia, and loss of BCVA > 5 letters on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Compared with baseline: proportion of eyes gaining > or = 15 letters, proportion of eyes losing or gaining < 15 letters, change in CRT.
RESULTS
After 24 months, 30% of eyes gained > or = 15 letters. After 24 months, 55% of eyes lost or gained < 15 letters. Mean CRT of 386 +/- 145 microm at baseline was significantly reduced to 211 +/- 39 microm after 24 months (P = .036). Mean injection number per patient was 5.6 +/- 2.9 and 4.3 +/- 3.8 from baseline to month 12 and month 12 to 24, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Intravitreal ranibizumab on a variable-dosing regimen was effective in significantly increasing mean BVCA and reducing CRT. This beneficial outcome was achieved with a low-rate of mild ocular adverse effects among our patients.
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