Effect of macular ischemia on intravitreal ranibizumab treatment for diabetic macular edema

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of macular ischemia on the functional and anatomical outcome after intravitreal injections of ranibizumab for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).

Procedures: Participants were 49 patients with diabetes mellitus, divided into two groups based on the presence of ischemia on fluorescein angiography: (i) nonischemic group (n = 32) and (ii) ischemic group (n = 17). All patients were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab and were followed up for 6 months. The main outcome measures were changes in visual acuity (VA) and central foveal thickness (CFT).

Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in VA and CFT between baseline and the end of the follow-up in the nonischemic group, while in the ischemic group there was no significant difference in VA but CFT differed significantly at the 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions: Macular ischemia may have a negative impact on functional outcomes 6 months after intravitreal ranibizumab treatment in patients with DME but has no effect on anatomical outcomes.