PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of macular ischemia on the functional and anatomical outcome after intravitreal injections of ranibizumab for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).

PROCEDURES

Participants were 49 patients with diabetes mellitus, divided into two groups based on the presence of ischemia on fluorescein angiography: (i) nonischemic group (n = 32) and (ii) ischemic group (n = 17). All patients were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab and were followed up for 6 months. The main outcome measures were changes in visual acuity (VA) and central foveal thickness (CFT).

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant improvement in VA and CFT between baseline and the end of the follow-up in the nonischemic group, while in the ischemic group there was no significant difference in VA but CFT differed significantly at the 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Macular ischemia may have a negative impact on functional outcomes 6 months after intravitreal ranibizumab treatment in patients with DME but has no effect on anatomical outcomes.