Meta-analysis offers insights into ROP treatments

In patients with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), anti-VEGF therapy is associated with a higher retreatment rate but a lower incidence of myopia compared to laser therapy, according to a study. Laser therapy, on the other hand, is linked to more complications such as retinal detachment and myopia.

The meta-analysis, which included 44 studies up, found that when comparing anti-VEGF with laser therapy, the anti-VEGF group displayed a notably higher retreatment rate, longer time between treatments, and lower rates of retinal detachment, myopia, and anisometropia. Laser therapy was associated with a higher incidence of complications, including retinal detachment and myopia.

Further comparisons within the anti-VEGF category noted distinctions among different agents. Ranibizumab exhibited higher recurrence and retreatment rates compared to bevacizumab, aflibercept, and conbercept. The intravitreal ranibizumab group also displayed a lower incidence of high myopia.

No significant differences were observed in the comparison between bevacizumab and aflibercept, suggesting comparable efficacy between these 2 anti-VEGF agents.

Reference
Chen J, Hao Q, Zhang J, et al. The efficacy and ocular safety following aflibercept, conbercept, ranibizumab, bevacizumab, and laser for retinopathy of prematurity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ital J Pediatr. 2023;49(1):136. doi: 10.1186/s13052-023-01543-3. PMID: 37814332; PMCID: PMC10561404.