Effectiveness of Intravitreal Ranibizumab for Diabetic Macular Edema with Serous Retinal Detachment

Subfoveal neurosensory detachment flattening and observe (SNF-Ob) approach for the management of Ci-DMO - a multicentric study

PURPOSE

To understand subfoveal neurosensory detachment flattening and observe (SNF-Ob) strategy and its relationship with visual acuity in the management of centre-involved diabetic macular oedema (Ci-DMO).

METHODS

This was a multicentric retrospective observational study. We reviewed data of 188 eyes of 130 patients who presented with Ci-DMO with subfoveal neurosensory detachment (NSD) and treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents or steroids. The primary outcome was best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measured at the time of the first subfoveal neurosensory detachment flattening (SNF) and at the end of follow-up.

RESULTS

Eyes that achieved 20/50 (LogMAR = 0.40) or better at first SNF had mean LogMAR BCVA 0.38 ± 0.21, 0.24 ± 0.11 and 0.21 ± 0.15 at baseline, at the time of first SNF, and at the end of the last follow-up respectively. Mean LogMAR BCVA significantly improved from baseline to first SNF (p < 0.0001; 95% CI 0.115-0.183) and at the end of the last follow-up (p < 0.0001; 95% CI 0.126-0.213) with a change of Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) 10 letters. There was no significant difference in improvement in BCVA from the first SNF and at the end of the last follow-up (p = 0.0781; 95% CI -0.002 to 0.046).

CONCLUSIONS

Eyes presenting with Ci-DMO and subfoveal NSD are unlikely to improve at SNF with BCVA > 20/50 (LogMAR = 0.40). Further evidence is needed before the combination of good BCVA and SNF may be considered as endpoint of pharmacological therapy for DMO.

The efficacy of different anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, and dexamethasone implant therapy in patients with serous retinal detachment caused by Irvine-Gass syndrome

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept (IVA), bevacizumab (IVB), ranibizumab (IVR), and dexamethasone implant (IVDI) in the treatment of serous retinal detachment (SRD) caused by Irvine-Gass syndrome (IGS).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort, comparative study.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The medical records of 128 eyes with no previous history of intravitreal agents in 128 IGS patients with SRD that received IVA, IVB, IVR, and IVDI monotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into 4 groups, according to treatment. Patients with recurrence and/or were unresponsive following a course of topical steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were included in the study. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and SRD were compared between the 4 treatment groups at baseline, at follow-up months 1, 3, 6, and 12, and at the final follow-up visit.

RESULTS

Serous retinal detachment completely resolved in 74%, 45.7%, 66.4%, and 40.8% of the eyes at month 1 (P = 0.042), 87%, 50.9%, 75.8%, and 80.9% at month 3 (p = 0.031), 88.9%, 50.4%, 75.7%, 80.2% at month 6 (p = 0.028), 81.7%, 72.8%, 68.7%, 80.1% at month 12 (p = 0.580), and 100%, 66.4%, 87.9%, 93.2% (p = 0.478) at final follow-up visit in the IVA, IVB, IVR, and IVDI groups, respectively. BCVA was significantly better in the IVA group at all follow-up time points (month 1: p < 0.001; month 3: p < 0.001; month 6: p = 0.002; month 12: p = 0.009, final follow-up visit: p < 0.001). CMT was significantly lower in the IVA group at months 3 (p = 0.008), 6 (p = 0.011), and 12 (p = 0.010), and at the final follow-up visit (p < 0.001). Recurrence was observed after a longer period of time and fewer injections were needed in the IVDI and IVA groups (p < 0.05). Resolution of CME was most rapid in the IVA group (p = 0.032).

CONCLUSION

All intravitreal agents were effective in terms of visual results in the SRD patients; however, eyes treated with IVA and IVDI required fewer injections, as compared to the eyes treated with IVB and IVR. Furthermore, SRD entirely resolved in all eyes in the IVA group at the final follow-up visit.

Evaluation of the efficacy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors in diabetic macular edema with retinal inner and outer layers disorganization

AIMS

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of treatment between anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents in diabetic macular edema (DME) patients with disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL). Epiretinal membrane, serous macular detachment, ellipsoid zone (EZ) disorder, external limiting membrane (ELM) disorder, and hyperreflective foci were also examined.

METHODS

Patients treated for DME and also had DRIL were included in the study. The study design was retrospective and cross-sectional. The complete ophthalmologic records and imaging were scanned at the beginning, 3rd-month, 6th-month, and 12th-month follow-up, and the treatments administered were recorded. Anti-VEGF agents administered to the patients were examined in three groups: bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept.

RESULT

A total of 141 eyes of 100 patients were included in our study. One hundred and fifteen eyes (81.6%) had a BCVA of 0, 5, or less at the beginning. There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups regarding initial BCVA and CMT and the change in BCVA and CMT at the beginning and the 12th month (p > 0.05). There was a negative correlation between EZ and ELM disorders in patients and the change in BCVA at 12 months (r: 0.45 p < 0.001, r: 0.32 p < 0.001, respectively). The number of injections over five was positively correlated with the change in CMT but not with BCVA (r: - 2.35 p = 0.005 and r: 0.147 p = 0.082, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

No statistically significant difference was found between anti-VEGF agents when treating DME patients with DRIL. In addition, we have shown that anatomically better results were obtained in those who had five or more injections, although not in terms of BCVA.

Prevalence and clinical implications of subretinal fluid in retinal diseases: a real-world cohort study

Background/aims

To characterise the baseline prevalence of subretinal fluid (SRF) and its effects on anatomical and visual acuity (VA) outcomes in diabetic macular oedema (DME) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) following anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of 122 DME and 54 RVO patients who were initiated on anti-VEGF therapy with real-world variable dosing. The DME and RVO cohorts were subclassified based on the presence of SRF at presentation. Snellen VA was measured and converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR). Changes in VA and central subfield thickness (CST) were assessed up to 24 months.

Results

SRF was present in 22% and 41% in DME and RVO patients, respectively. In the DME subcohort, eyes with SRF showed an improvement of 0.166 logMAR (1.7 Snellen chart lines) at 12 months and 0.251 logMAR (2.6 Snellen chart lines) at 24 months, which were significantly greater compared with those of the non-SRF group. A significantly greater reduction in CST was noted in the SRF eyes compared with the non-SRF eyes at 3 months and 1 month in the DME and RVO subcohorts, respectively.

Conclusion

Baseline SRF is a good marker for a greater reduction in CST in both DME and RVO, but an improvement in VA associated with SRF may be only noted in DME.

Comparison of intravitreal ranibizumab, aflibercept and bevacizumab therapies in diabetic macular edema with serous retinal detachment

Purpose

To compare the effects of ranibizumab, aflibercept and bevacizumab treatments in treatment-naive diabetic macular edema(DME) patients with serous retinal detachment(SRD).

Material and methods

This is a retrospective, comparative study. In a sample of 86 eyes of 86 untreated DME patients with accompanying SRD, 23 patients were treated with ranibizumab (IVR), 28 patients with aflibercept (IVA), and 35 patients with bevacizumab (IVB). All were injected intravitreally once a month for a 3-month loading dose. Subsequently, all participants were evaluated every months and if neccessary they received additional intravitreal treatments.Mean changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and SRD height over the 6-months study period were compared.

Results

At baseline, the groups did not differ in mean BCVA,CRT and SRD height. During the first 3 months, in IVA group the mean decrease in CRT and SRD height were significantly more than in the other two groups ( p < 0.05 for all). However, these differences disappeared at 6 months.The number of injections was similar between the groups during the study period.

Conclusion

In patients with DME accompanied by SRD, IVA is a more advantageous option in terms of reduction in CRT and SRD height from baseline to 3 months. In the 6-month period of treatment, IVR, IVA and IVB therapies areanatomically and functionally similar and significant effective modalities.

Optical coherence tomography patterns of diabetic macular edema and treatment response to bevacizumab: a short-term study

Background:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term response of intravitreal bevacizumab in diabetic macular edema (DME) and assess the variation in treatment outcomes in different morphology patterns using spectral domain–optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Objective:

To study different morphological patterns of DME based on OCT and compare their treatment response to bevacizumab.

Methods:

Hundred and twelve eyes of 112 patients with DME were included and treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml monthly for 3 months). The morphological patterns of DME were classified on the basis of OCT into three groups – diffuse retinal thickening (DRT), cystoid macular edema (CME), and serous retinal detachment (SRD) – and changes in central macular thickness (CMT) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after treatment were compared.

Results:

A total of 112 eyes with DME were included and consisted of 40 DRT, 37 CME, and 35 SRD. Treatment with bevacizumab resulted in decrease in central macular thickness and improvement in BCVA in all three groups. The baseline visual acuity and CMT of DRT group was better than that of the other two groups. The treatment outcome was measured in terms of CMT and BCVA. Change in CMT was statistically significant among three groups and was found to be better in DRT group (p < 0.05, 95% confidence interval). However, there was statistically no significant variation between the three groups regarding the change in BCVA (p = 0.169, 95% confidence interval).

Conclusion:

Anatomic and visual improvement can be achieved by bevacizumab in all patterns of DME. However, individual pattern may respond differently. DRT, which appears to be the earliest form of DME, responds better than other types. Thus, the pattern of macular edema shown by OCT may provide an objective guideline in predicting the response of bevacizumab injection in DME.

Aqueous humor analyses of diabetic macular edema patients with subretinal fluid

We identified treatment-naïve diabetic macular edema (DME) patients with or without subretinal fluid (SRF). We compared their baseline characteristics: aqueous concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-17, as well as tumor necrosis factor-α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and placental growth factor (PlGF). We also compared fundus and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings, and responsiveness to anti-VEGF treatments. Of 67 DME patients, 18 (26.87%) had SRF. Compared to the no SRF group, the SRF group had significantly higher levels of IL-6, IL-8, VEGF, and PlGF in aqueous humor. After grouping according to diabetic retinopathy stage, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) patients with SRF had higher aqueous levels of IL-6 and IL-8, compared to NPDR patients without SRF. Moreover, proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients with SRF had higher aqueous levels of VEGF and PlGF, compared to PDR patients without SRF. Fundus and OCT analyses revealed that the SRF group had a greater proportion of patients with succinate or patch-shaped hard exudates involving the macula, and greater central subfield thickness (CST) at baseline. After 6 months of anti-VEGF treatments, the SRF group showed better responsiveness in terms of CST; however, visual acuity was not correlated with responsiveness. Considering higher aqueous levels of VEGFs and pro-inflammatory cytokines, SRF could be a biomarker related to diabetic retinopathy activity. DME patients with SRF showed better anatomical responsiveness to anti-VEGF treatments, but did not show better functional improvement on short-term evaluation compared to those of DME patients without SRF.

[Treatment response to Conbercept of different types of diabetic macular edema classified based on optical coherence tomography]

OBJECTIVE

To compare different types of diabetic macular edema (DME) classified based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) for their responses to Conbercept injection and analyze the factors that affect the treatment responses.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 65 patients (76 eyes) with DME diagnosed and treated with intravitreal injection of Conbercept (1+PRN) in our hospital from February, 2019 to February, 2021. According to OCT findings, DME in these patients was classified into cystic macular edema (CME; 28 eyes), serous retinal detachment (SRD; 33 eyes), and diffuse retinal thickening (DRT; 15 eyes). The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured before and at 3 months after the first treatment. The baseline OCT characteristics of different types of DME were compared, and the correlation of these OCT characteristics with the treatment response to Conbercept was analyzed.

RESULTS

All the patients showed significant improvement of the BCVA 3 months after the treatment (P < 0.05). For all the 3 types of DME, the CRT at 3 months after the first treatment was significantly reduced as compared to the baseline (P < 0.05). The number of hyperreflective foci (HF) in the outer retina and the proportion of ellipsoid zone (EZ) interruption were the greatest in SRD group (P < 0.05). The baseline outer retinal HF was significantly correlated with the baseline CRT, CRT changes and CRT after treatment (all P < 0.05). The patients with baseline outer limiting membrane (ELM)/ EZ disruption had poorer baseline BCVA, greater baseline CRT, greater variation of CRT and poorer BCVA at 3 months after treatment (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

For all the 3 types of DME, treatment with intravitreal injection of Conbercept can significantly improve the BCVA and CRT of the patients. DME of the SRD type has the best morphological response to Conbercept, while the DRT type has a relatively poor response. A greater number of HF at baseline may indicate a better morphological response to Conbercept treatment, and baseline ELM/EZ disruption may suggest a poor visual prognosis at 3 months after treatment.

Challenges in Diabetic Macular Edema Management: An Expert Consensus Report

Purpose

This paper aimed to present daily-practice recommendations for the management of diabetic macular edema (DME) patients based on available scientific evidence and the clinical experience of the consensus panel.

Methods

A group of Spanish retina experts agreed to discuss different aspects related with the clinical management of DME patients.

Results

Panel was mainly focused on therapeutic objectives in DME management; definition terms; and role of biomarkers as prognostic and predictive factors to intravitreal treatment response. The panel recommends to start DME treatment as soon as possible in those eyes with a visual acuity less than 20/25 (always according to the retina unit capacity). Naïve patient was defined, in a strict manner, as a patient who, up to that moment, had never received any treatment. A refractory DME patient may be defined as the one who did not achieve a complete resolution of the disease, regardless of the treatment administered. Different optical coherence tomography biomarkers, such as disorganization of the retinal inner layers, hyperreflective dots, and cysts, have been identified as prognostic factors.

Conclusion

This document has sought to lay down a set of recommendations and to identify key issues that may be useful for the daily management of DME patients.

Indicators of Visual Prognosis in Diabetic Macular Oedema

Diabetic macular oedema (DMO) is an important cause of moderate vision loss in people with diabetes. Advances in imaging technology have shown that a significant proportion of patients with DMO respond sub-optimally to existing treatment options. Identifying associations and predictors of response before treatment is initiated may help in explaining visual prognosis to patients and aid the development of personalized treatment strategies. Imaging features, such as central subfoveal thickness, photoreceptor integrity, disorganization of retinal inner layers, choroidal changes, and macular perfusion, have been reported to be prognostic factors of visual acuity (VA) in DMO. In this review we evaluated each risk factor to understand their relative importance in visual prognostication of DMO eyes post-treatment. Although individually, some of these factors may not be significant predictors, in combination they may form phenotypes that can inform visual prognosis. Stratification based on these phenotypes needs to be developed to progress to personalized medicine for DMO.

Restoration of Foveal Bulge after Resolution of Diabetic Macular Edema with Coexisting Serous Retinal Detachment

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of restoration of foveal bulge (FB) in optical coherence tomography (OCT) images on visual acuity after resolution of diabetic macular edema with coexisting serous retinal detachment (SRD-DME).

METHODS

A total of 52 eyes with resolved SRD-DME and an intact ellipsoid zone at the central fovea were included. All eyes underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) examination and OCT scanning at baseline and follow-up visits (1, 3, and 6 months). The eyes were divided into two groups according to the presence of FB at 6 months. BCVA, central foveal thickness (CFT), height of SRD (SRDH), outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness, photoreceptor inner segment (PIS), and outer segment (POS) length were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

A FB was found in 25 of 52 (48%) eyes at 6 months. The FB (+) group had lower SRDH at baseline, and better BCVA, longer POS length at 6 months (all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the CFT, ONL thickness, and PIS length at 6 months between the two groups (all P > 0.05). More eyes in the FB (+) group had complete SRD resolution at 1 month (P = 0.009) and 3 months (P = 0.012). Eyes with complete SRD resolution at 1 month (P = 0.009) or 3 months (P = 0.012) were more likely to have a FB at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The Presence of the FB is associated with better BCVA after resolution of SRD-DME. Eyes with lower baseline SRDH or faster SRD resolution are more likely to have a FB at 6 months.

Characteristics of diabetic macular edema patients with serous retinal detachment

To determine characteristics of diabetic macular edema patients with serous retinal detachment (SRD).We classified naïve diabetic macular edema (DME) patients with or without SRD, and compared their baseline characteristics; intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) responsiveness; aqueous concentrations of IL (interleukin)-1β, -2, -8, -10, -17, placental growth factor (PlGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In addition, factors associated with the existence of SRD were identified.Of the 64 DME patients, 14 had SRD. The average levels of aqueous VEGF and PlGF were significantly higher in the SRD group than in the control group (P = .022 and P = .041, respectively). The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central subfield thickness (CST) did not differ significantly between the 2 groups at baseline or after 3 consecutive monthly IVBs. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the level of aqueous VEGF was the only factor associated with the existence of SRD (odds ratio: 1.03; P = .038).Rather than aqueous inflammatory cytokines, levels of aqueous VEGFs were associated with the occurrence of SRD in DME patients. In terms of prognosis, the existence of SRD was not related with BCVA or CST changes.

Comparison of clinical outcomes of different components of diabetic macular edema on optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE

To evaluate the edema reduction after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) in two diabetic macular edema (DME) components in the same eye using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODS

Totally 113 eyes with mixed OCT pattern of DME were included. All the eyes underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) examination and OCT scanning at baseline and follow-up visits (1, 3, and 6 months after 3 monthly consecutive IVR). The mixed OCT pattern of DME was classified into 2 OCT components: serous retinal detachment (SRD) component and non-SRD component. Foveal thickness of the SRD component (SRDFT) and the non-SRD component (NSRDFT) was compared between baseline and follow-up visits. Reduction and reduction ratio of the SRDFT and the NSRDFT at each follow-up were compared. When calculating the NSRDFT reduction ratio, we innovatively optimized a commonly used formula by subtracting the normal foveal thickness from the baseline NSRDFT.

RESULTS

SRDFT was 265.6 ± 175.4 μm at baseline and was significantly decreased to 126.7 ± 114.4 μm at 1 month, to 110.5 ± 103.4 μm at 3 months, and to 110.4 ± 89.6 μm at 6 months (all P < 0.001). NSRDFT was 409.5 ± 173.1 μm at baseline and was significantly decreased to 274.1 ± 140.4 μm at 1 month, to 249.1 ± 95.9 μm at 3 months, and to 254.1 ± 90.4 μm at 6 months (all P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in reduction or reduction ratio between NSRDFT and SRDFT during follow-up (all P > 0.05). The correlation between BCVA and SRDFT was most significant at baseline (r = 0.366, P < 0.001) and the correlation between BCVA and NSRDFT was most significant at 6 months (r = 0.426, P < 0.001). BCVA improvement was more significantly correlated with reduction or reduction ratio of SRDFT at each follow-up timepoint (r = 0.271-0.426, all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

IVR was effective in reducing both the SRD and non-SRD components of DME according to our optimized formula. The association between BCVA improvement and edema reduction was more significant in the SRD component.

Comparison of aflibercept and ranibizumab in diabetic macular edema associated with subretinal detachment

PURPOSE

To compare the efficacy of ranibizumab and aflibercept in the treatment of diabetic macular edema associated with subfoveal retinal detachment.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, comparative study. The treatment-naïve diabetic macular edema patients who had diabetic macular edema associated with subfoveal retinal detachment and underwent intravitreal aflibercept or intravitreal ranibizumab treatment were included. The patients were treated on a pro re nata treatment regimen after a loading dose of 3-monthly injections and the follow-up time was 12 months. The primary outcome measure of this study was the presence of subfoveal retinal detachment after treatment at different time points. The secondary outcome measures were the change in best corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness.

RESULTS

A total of 46 eyes of 46 patients were included. The aflibercept group consisted of 20 and the ranibizumab group consisted of 26 eyes. During the follow-up period of 12 months, subfoveal retinal detachment was completely resolved in 75% versus 57.7% of the eyes at month 3 (p = 0.2), 90% versus 76.9% at month 6 (p = 0.2), 90% versus 65.4% at month 9 (p = 0.05), and 100% versus 80.8% at month 12 (p = 0.03) in the intravitreal aflibercept versus intravitreal ranibizumab groups. The change in best corrected visual acuity was not statistically different between the groups at months 3, 6, 9, and 12, respectively (p > 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSION

Both intravitreal aflibercept and intravitreal ranibizumab were effective in regards to anatomical and functional outcomes of diabetic macular edema patients associated with subfoveal retinal detachment. Interestingly, intravitreal aflibercept seemed more effective than intravitreal ranibizumab in the resolution of subfoveal retinal detachment at month 12.