Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy for Diabetic Retinopathy: Consequences of Inadvertent Treatment Interruptions

Abstract

Purpose: To illustrate that patients with diabetic retinopathy who are treated exclusively with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy and have an interruption in treatment may experience marked progression of disease with potentially devastating visual consequences.

Design: Retrospective, multicenter, case series.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients treated exclusively with anti-VEGF therapy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) or nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), with or without diabetic macular edema (DME), and temporarily lost to follow-up. Baseline disease characteristics, cause and duration of the treatment interruption, and resulting disease progression, complications, and outcomes were assessed.

Results: Thirteen eyes of 12 patients with type 2 diabetes were identified. The mean age was 57 ± 10 years, and 50% were women. Anti-VEGF therapy was indicated for PDR with DME in 7 (54%) eyes, PDR without DME in 3 (23%) eyes, and moderate to severe NPDR with DME in 3 (23%) eyes. Eight eyes had visual acuity (VA) of 20/80 or better before treatment interruption. The median duration of treatment hiatus was 12 months. Reasons for treatment interruption included intercurrent illness (31%), noncompliance (31%), and financial issues (15%). Complications upon follow-up included vitreous hemorrhage (9 eyes), neovascular glaucoma (5 eyes), and traction retinal detachment (4 eyes). Despite treatment of these complications, 77% of eyes lost ≥3 lines of VA, with 46% of eyes having a final VA of hand motion or worse.

Conclusions: Diabetic patients are subject to significant lapses in follow-up because of illness, financial hardship, or noncompliance. In patients with diabetic retinopathy, especially PDR, who are managed with anti-VEGF therapy alone, unintentional treatment interruptions can result in irreversible blindness.