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Navigated laser treatment stabilizes anti-VEGF outcomes in DME
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MILAN — Navigated retinal photocoagulation may be an effective complement to anti-VEGF therapy in diabetic macular edema, allowing for a reduced number of injections and stabilized results, according to one surgeon.
A study performed at the University of Munich, Germany, included 12 eyes of 10 patients that received a series of three monthly Lucentis (ranibizumab, Genentech/Novartis) injections followed by navigated laser treatment after 1 month. Patients were then monitored monthly and re-treated with anti-VEGF injections as needed.
"We were able to prove that the laser treatment significantly reduced the number of injections, allowing for longer injection-free intervals of more than 3 months in 66% of the eyes. Only 33% of the patients needed re-treatment during the 6-month follow-up period," Marcus Kernt, MD, said at the Euretina congress.
Retinal thickness was reduced after the three anti-VEGF injections and maintained with laser. Visual acuity improvement was comparable to results in the RESTORE study, with a mean gain of six letters.
"This was also achieved with anti-VEGFs and maintained with laser," Kernt said.
Further studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of this treatment modality.
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Disclosure: Kernt has no relevant financial disclosures.