DME patients with vitreomacular adhesions may have better visual outcomes after anti-VEGF treatment

Issue: January 10, 2016

Anti-VEGF injections may improve visual outcomes in diabetic macular edema patients who have vitreomacular adhesions, according to the READ-3 study.

The retrospective cohort study evaluated 26 DME patients who had a vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) and 98 DME patients who did not have a VMA. Patients were randomized to receive monthly injections of either 0.5 mg or 0.2 mg of Lucentis (ranibizumab, Genentech).

At the 6-month follow-up, best corrected visual acuity increased by a mean of 11.31 ± 6.67 letters in the group with a VMA and 6.86 ± 7.58 letters in the group without a VMA. Both increases were significant compared with baseline (P < .05), and the difference between the two groups was significant (P = .007).

Both groups showed a significant reduction in central retinal thickness at month 6, with mean decreases of 173.81 ± 132.31 µm in the VMA group and 161.84 ± 131.34 µm in the non-VMA group (P < .05), but the difference between the two groups was not significant.

At month 6, spectral-domain OCT images of the patients with a VMA demonstrated that seven eyes experienced posterior vitreous detachment, 17 eyes had no change in VMA status, and two eyes had ungradable images.

“Identification of anatomic factors associated with treatment outcomes of patients with DME can help ophthalmologists and patients to make informed decisions regarding possible treatment options,” the study authors said. “Our study suggests that patients with VMA may benefit from treatment with anti-VEGF agents, especially those with focal VMA who subsequently demonstrate PVD.” – by Kristie L. Kahl

Disclosure: Sadiq reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.

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Source:

Sadiq MA, et al. Ophthalmology. 2015;doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2015.09.032.