Optical coherence tomography-guided ranibizumab injection for cystoid macular edema in well-controlled uveitis: twelve-month outcomes.

PURPOSE

To determine whether serial ranibizumab injections are effective in the treatment of cystoid macular edema in patients with chronic controlled noninfectious uveitis.

METHODS

Five eyes of 5 patients were included in a prospective noncomparative therapeutic trial. They received intravitreal injections of ranibizumab at Day 0 and were followed monthly for 1 year. Injections were repeated monthly if persistent or new cystic edema manifested on optical coherence tomography. The primary outcome measure was the mean change in best-corrected visual acuity from baseline at 12 months. Secondary outcome measures included mean percentage change in central subfield retinal thickness (CST) and incidence of adverse events through Month 24.

RESULTS

Thirty-two injections were performed over the study period. At 1 year, the mean increase in acuity was 12.2 Early Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters (P = 0.015). There was a statistically significant increase in visual acuity over time (P = 0.002). The CST decreased by 31.4%, 46.0%, 37.6%, and 45.4% relative to baseline at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively (P = 0.003). One patient experienced recurrence of uveitis with subsequent cataract and glaucoma progression.

CONCLUSION

Optical coherence tomography-guided monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injections delivered over the course of 1 year resulted in improved vision and reduced central retinal thickness.