Anatomical, functional improvements seen after switch to ranibizumab in persistent DME unresponsive to bevacizumab

Anatomical and functional improvements after treatment with ranibizumab were seen in patients with persistent diabetic macular edema (DME) who were unresponsive to bevacizumab, however patients treated with aflibercept only showed an anatomical improvement, according to a study.

In this single-center retrospective comparative study, 40 patients (56 eyes) with DME unresponsive to intravitreal bevacizumab were switched to ranibizumab (n = 33 eyes) or aflibercept (n = 23 eyes). Best-corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness were recorded before the switch and again 4 months after.

Both groups had a significant median decrease in central foveal thickness decrease. A significant best-corrected visual acuity gain was seen in patients treated with ranibizumab. No pre-baseline or baseline parameters were associated with the response to ranibizumab or aflibercept.

Reference
Pessoa B, Malheiro L, Carneiro I, et al. Intravitreal ranibizumab or aflibercept after bevacizumab in diabetic macular edema: Exploratory retrospective analysis. Clin Ophthalmol. 2021;15: 253-260.