The therapeutic effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) was determined by a number of factors. Comprehensive thorough analysis of clinical features, imaging results and treatment response can predict the potential efficacy and possible vision recovery for the patient, and also can optimize the treatment regime to make a personalized therapy plan. Precise medicine with data from genomics, proteomics and metabolomics study will provide more objective and accurate biology basis for individual precise treatment. The future research should focus on comprehensive assessment of factors affecting the efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy, to achieve individualized precise diagnosis and treatment, to improve the therapeutic outcome of nAMD.
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy and safety of combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) with intravitreal ranibizumab injection in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). MethodsTwenty-four PCV patients (24 eyes) were enrolled in this retrospective case study.All patients were assessed by the examinations of Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity chart, color fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optic coherence tomography (OCT). The mean visual acuity was (33.41±19.43) letters; the mean macular retinal thickness was (343.63±88.60) μm. Patients received PDT first, and intravitreal injected ranibizumab 0.5 mg (0.05 ml) 72 hours later. Treatments were repeated as a single intravitreal injection of ranibizumab combined with or without PDT if the monthly follow-up indicated that it was necessary. The average follow-up period was 13.1 months. The average treatment times were analyzed for each eye. Systemic and ocular adverse events were observed. Visual acuity, macular retinal thickness and leakage of PCV before and after the treatment were analyzed. ResultsIntravitreal ranibizumab injections was repeated (2.8±1.6) times per eye on average, and intravitreal injection of ranibizumab combined with PDT was repeated (0.4±0.5) times per eye on average. No systemic and ocular adverse effects were found during and after combined therapy. In the last follow-up, the mean visual acuity of ETDRS was (44.21±17.24) letters, improved by 10.8 letters (t=-4.77, P<0.01).Visual acuity was improved in 11 eyes (45.8%) and stable in 13 eyes (54.2%). FFA and ICGA showed complete closed PCV in 17 eyes (70.8%), partial closed PCV in 7 eyes (29.2%). OCT image showed that the retinal edema was disappeared in 19 eyes (79.2%) and alleviated in 5 eyes (20.8%). The mean macular retinal thickness was (171.33±38.06) μm, which was 172.30 μm less than that of pre-treatment values (t=11.96, P<0.05). ConclusionPhotodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal ranibizumab injections for PCV is safe and effective, with visual acuity improvement, reduction of retinal edema and PCV leakage.
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab and (or) triamcinolone combined with laser photocoagulation for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) during one year period. MethodsThe data of 31 eyes from 31 consecutive patients with macular edema secondary to BRVO during one year follow-up visit were retrospectively analyzed. Mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) logMAR was (0.74±0.36) and mean central retinal thickness (CRT) was (484.48±164.81)μm at baseline. All patients received standardized clinical comprehensive examinations including vision, intraocular pressure and optical coherence tomography for diagnosis before treatment. All patients received intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg ranibizumab (0.05 ml) at first visit. The continue PRN treatment were based on the visual acuity changes and the optical coherence tomography findings. Eyes received combined triamcinolone acetonide 0.05 ml (40 mg/ml) and ranibizumab for macular edema recurrence after two injections of ranibizumab and received laser photocoagulation during 10-14 days after third injections of ranibizumab. Mean injection of ranibizumab was 3.52±2.01, 15 eyes with triamcinolone acetonide (0.84±1.21), 21 eyes with laser photocoagulation (0.97±0.95) and 12 eyes with three treatment. Compared the visual acuities and CRTs of the first and the last visits by statistical analysis. ResultsMean visual acuity improved significantly to 0.42±0.33 logMAR (t=6.611, P=0.000). Mean improvement of visual acuity was 2.90±3.07 lines. A gain of three or more logarithmic lines was evaluated in 20/31 eyes (64.52%) at the last visit. Mean CRT was (326.19±117.80)μm (t=4.514, P=0.000).Mean reduction of CRT was (333.58±134.17)μm. A decrease of 100μm of CRT was evaluated in 17/31 eyes (54.84%). No severe ocular and systematic side effect was found. ConclusionThe efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab and (or) triamcinolone combined with laser photocoagulation for macular edema secondary to BRVO were assured.
Corticosteroids, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, antibiotics and antiviral were the main 4 classes of drugs for intravitreal injection. Depending on the class and volume of medication, age and gender of patients, ocular axial lengths or vitreous humour reflux, intraocular pressure (IOP) can be elevated transiently or persistently after intravitreal injection. Transient IOP elevation occurred in 2 weeks after intravitreal injection, and can be reduced to normal level for most patients. Only a small portion of such patients have very high IOP and need intervention measures such as anterior chamber puncture or lowering intraocular pressure by drugs. Long term IOP elevation is refers to persistent IOP increase after 2 weeks after intravitreal injection, and cause optic nerve irreversible damage and decline in the visual function of patients. Thus drug or surgical intervention need to be considered for those patients with high and long period of elevated IOP. Large-scale multicenter clinical trials need to be performed to evaluate the roles of the drug and patients factors for IOP of post-intravitreal injection, and to determine if it is necessary and how to use methods reducing IOP before intravitreal injection.