Subthreshold micropulse laser reduces anti-VEGF injection burden in patients with diabetic macular edema

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elad Moisseiev ◽  
Sam Abbassi ◽  
Sumeer Thinda ◽  
Joseph Yoon ◽  
Glenn Yiu ◽  
...  

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of micropulse laser in the early treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) and its associated burden of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections. Methods: This retrospective comparative study compared a group of 19 eyes with DME treated with micropulse laser to a matched control group of 19 eyes with DME treated with ranibizumab injections without micropulse laser. Recorded parameters included previous medical and ocular history, previous and subsequent ranibizumab injections administered for DME, visual acuity (VA), central macular thickness throughout the follow-up period, and the occurrence of any complications. Results: The improvement in VA was comparable in both groups, at 12 months and at the final follow-up. Patients treated with micropulse laser required significantly fewer ranibizumab injections than their controls, both at 12 months (1.7 ± 2.3 vs 5.6 ± 2.1) and by the end of the follow-up (2.6 ± 3.3 vs 9.3 ± 5.1) (p<0.001 for both). No complications related to the micropulse laser were encountered. Conclusions: Micropulse laser is a safe and effective treatment for DME, which may achieve comparable improvement in VA along with a significant reduction in the burden of anti-VEGF injections. We suggest a treatment approach for its inclusion in the early stages of DME.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 251584142110408
Author(s):  
Leila El Matri ◽  
Ahmed Chebil ◽  
Khaled El Matri ◽  
Yousra Falfoul ◽  
Zouheir Chebbi

Purpose: To compare the therapeutic impact of combining intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (IVB) with micropulse laser (MPL) in central diffuse diabetic macular edema (DME) versus IVB monotherapy during 12 months follow-up. Methods: We conducted a retrospective comparative study of 98 treatment-naive eyes (63 patients) with central diffuse DME. The first group of patients (IVB + MPL group, n = 49) was treated with 3 monthly IVB followed by MPL within 1 week after the third injection. Patients were then followed and treated on a pro re nata (PRN) basis, with MPL retreatment if necessary. The changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), number of IVB injections and MPL sessions were evaluated at 4, 8, and 12 months. A control group of diabetic patients with treatment-naive DME was treated with standard protocol of 3 monthly IVB as monotherapy then followed on a PRN basis (IVB group, n = 49). Statistic comparaison of BCVA, CMT, and IVB number variation was interpreted at 12 months between both groups. Results: In IVB + MPL group, baseline BCVA improvement was not significant at 4 and 8 months ( p = 0.90, p = 0.08), and was statistically significant ( p = 0.01) at 12 months. Mean CMT significantly decreased at 4, 8, and 12 months ( p < 0.01) in IVB + MPL group. The difference in BCVA (p = 0.091) and CMT (p = 0.082) variation at 12 months between both groups was not significant but the number of injections was significantly lower in IVB + MPL group (4.1 ± 1.5 injections) compared to IVB group (7.2 ± 1.3 injections) ( p < 0.005). Conclusion: Combining intravitreal injections of bevacizumab and MPL in the treatment of DME is effective and safe. This protocol may decrease the number of IVB and its frequency. It offers the advantage of lasting therapeutic response with fewer recurrences.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinxiao Gao ◽  
Anthony Obeid ◽  
Christopher M. Aderman ◽  
Katherine E. Talcott ◽  
Ferhina S. Ali ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 5738
Author(s):  
Yoshihiro Takamura ◽  
Teruyo Kida ◽  
Hidetaka Noma ◽  
Makoto Inoue ◽  
Shigeo Yoshida ◽  
...  

Background: Pro re nata (PRN) regimen using anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent is popular for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). We investigated the influence of waiting time (WT) and interval between the date of recurrence of edema and re-injection on treatment efficacy. Methods: This retrospective study conducted at 7 sites in Japan enrolled patients who received intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) and aflibercept (IVA) in 1+PRN regimen. Enrolled patients were divided into 2 groups: prompt group (less than 1 week) and deferred group (3 weeks or more). Central retinal thickness (CRT) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were measured every month for 1 year. Results: CRT in the deferred group was significantly higher than that in the prompt group at 2, 5, 6, 7, and 12 months (p < 0.05). BCVA in the prompt group was significantly better than that in the deferred group at 7, 10, and 12 months (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The prompt group was superior in anatomical and functional improvement of DME in anti-VEGF therapy than the deferred group. Our data suggests that shorter WT is recommended for better visual prognosis in the treatment for DME.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Cindy Ung ◽  
Kareem Moussa ◽  
Yoshihiro Yonekawa

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the main cause of visual impairment in diabetic patients. Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy is considered the first-line treatment option in the management of DME with corticosteroids used as second-line therapy. The DRCR.net Protocol U study was a Phase II trial that sought to compare the combination of a steroid and anti-VEGF therapy to anti-VEGF monotherapy regarding visual acuity and anatomic outcomes. This review highlights the strengths, weaknesses, and clinical implications of this study.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 534-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwaranti Akiyode ◽  
Jateh Major ◽  
Abiola Ojo

Aflibercept is the most recently approved vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) inhibitor for the management of diabetic macular edema and diabetic retinopathy. The purpose of this article is to review the efficacy and safety of aflibercept in the management of diabetic eye complications and to describe its place in therapy. Anti-VEGF agents have been noted in clinical trials to be superior to laser photocoagulation, the standard therapy ( P < .0001, P ≤ .0085, respectively). Aflibercept has been comparatively studied with other anti-VEGF agents, namely, bevacizumab and ranibizumab, and noted to be equally efficacious and safe in patients with mild visual acuity loss ( P > .50). However, in the treatment of patients with diabetic macular edema having moderate to severe visual acuity loss, aflibercept outperformed the other 2 anti-VEGF agents (aflibercept vs bevacizumab, P < .001; aflibercept vs ranibizumab, P = .003). However, additional studies are needed to fully appreciate the long-term safety and efficacy of aflibercept and the anti-VEGF therapy class.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Libuse Krizova ◽  
Marta Kalousova ◽  
Ales Antonin Kubena ◽  
Oldrich Chrapek ◽  
Barbora Chrapkova ◽  
...  

Purpose. We investigated two factors linked to diabetic macular edema (DME), vitreous and serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and uric acid (UA) in patients with DME, and compared the results with changes in optical coherence tomography (OCT) and visual acuity (VA).Methods. A prospective study of 29 eyes, 16 cystoid DME and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) and 13 nondiabetic controls. Biochemical analysis of vitreous and serum samples was performed and OCT scans were graded according to central retinal thickness (CRT), cube volume (CV), cube average thickness (CAT), and serous retinal detachment (SRD).Results. In DME group, intravitreal concentrations of VEGF (p<0.001), UA (p=0.038), and total protein (p<0.001) were significantly higher than in control group. In DME subjects, intravitreal UA correlated significantly with intravitreal VEGF (ƍ= 0.559,p=0.03) but not with total vitreous protein and serum UA. Increased intravitreal VEGF in DME group correlated with increase in CV (ƍ= 0.515/p=0.041). None of the OCT parameters correlated with the VA.Conclusions. The results suggest that the CV might be assessor of anti-VEGF therapy efficacy. Second, apart from VEGF, the role of UA in the pathogenesis and progression of DR should be considered.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Young Hwan Bae ◽  
Seong Mi Kim ◽  
Jin Young Kim ◽  
So Hyun Bae ◽  
Hakyoung Kim ◽  
...  

Purpose. To evaluate whether treatment with intravitreal corticosteroid and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections alternately can improve treatment outcomes of macular edema (ME) caused by retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods. This dual-center retrospective study included 112 eyes with treatment-naïve ME secondary to RVO that were alternately treated with intravitreal corticosteroid and anti-VEGF injections (33 eyes, alternate group) or treated only with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections (79 eyes, anti-VEGF group) on a pro re nata basis. Results. During the 12-month follow-up period, the alternate group achieved a visual acuity gain of 0.39 logMAR, while the anti-VEGF group achieved a gain of 0.21 logMAR ( P = 0.042 ). The alternate group demonstrated a reduction in the central macular thickness of 229.9-μm, while the anti-VEGF group achieved a reduction of 220.1 μm ( P = 0.887 ). The alternate group required an average of 5.2 injections, while the anti-VEGF received 4.2 injections ( P < 0.001 ). In a propensity score-matched cohort to compensate for the differences in the injection numbers between the two groups, the alternate group achieved a better visual acuity gain than the anti-VEGF group at month 12 (0.39 logMAR vs. 0.17 logMAR, P = 0.048 ). Conclusions. In ME secondary to RVO, treatment with intravitreal corticosteroid and anti-VEGF injections alternately resulted in a more favorable visual outcome compared with intravitreal anti-VEGF monotherapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Soo Kim ◽  
Seungheon Lee ◽  
Jin Young Kim ◽  
Eoi Jong Seo ◽  
Ju Byung Chae ◽  
...  

AbstractTo investigate the visual/anatomical outcome of diabetic macular edema (DME) patients lost to follow-up (LTFU) for more than 1 year during intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment. A retrospective review of 182 treatment-naïve DME patients was performed. Among them, we identified patients LTFU for more than 1 year during anti-VEGF treatment. Visual acuity and anatomic outcomes at the first visit, last visit before being LTFU, return visit, and after re-treatment were analyzed and compared with those of DME patients with regular follow-up. Patients who had continuous follow-up visits were assigned to the control group. Sixty patients (33%) with DME were LTFU for more than 1 year during anti-VEGF treatment. Multivariate analysis revealed that the ratio of male (p = 0.004), diabetes mellitus (DM) duration less than 5 years (p = 0.015), and poor early anatomic response (p = 0.012) were higher compared to the control group. Eighteen patients returned to the clinic and received re-treatment. After re-treatment with anti-VEGF, central subfield thickness (CST) was significantly improved to the CST of before LTFU. However, visual acuity did not recover to the level before LTFU (0.63 ± 0.26 vs. 0.45 ± 0.28, p = 0.003). About thirty percent of DME patients were LTFU for more than 1 year. Permanent visual loss was observed in these LTFU patients. Patients with a high risk of LTFU such as male, early DM, and poor response after initial injections should be treated more aggressively to improve the visual outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Claudio Furino ◽  
Francesco Boscia ◽  
Michele Reibaldi ◽  
Giovanni Alessio

Diabetic macular edema (DME) represents a prevalent and disabling eye condition. Despite that DME represents a sight-threatening condition, it is also among the most accessible to treatment. Many different treatment options including photocoagulation, intravitreal medical treatment (either vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors or corticosteroids therapies), and surgical removal are currently available. Although laser has been considered as the gold standard for many years, over the past several years vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (anti-VEGFs) have become first-line therapy. However, many patients do not adequately respond to them. With the development of sustained-release corticosteroid devices, steroids have gained a presence in the management of the DME. We review and update the role of anti-VEGF and intravitreal sustained-release corticosteroid management of DME. According to the currently available scientific evidence, the choice of one anti-VEGF over another critically depends on the baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). While aflibercept may be the drug of choice in low baseline BCVA, the three anti-VEGFs (bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept) provided similar functional outcomes when the baseline BCVA was higher. DEX implants are a valuable option for treating DME, although they are usually seen as a second choice, particularly in those eyes that have an insufficient response to anti-VEGF. The new evidence suggested that, in eyes that did not adequately respond to anti-VEGF, switching to a DEX implant at the time to 3 monthly anti-VEGF injections provided better functional outcomes.


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