FIVE-YEAR OUTCOMES OF INTRAVITREAL INJECTION OF RANIBIZUMAB FOR THE TREATMENT OF MYOPIC CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the 5-year outcomes, efficacy, and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab injections for the treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization.

METHODS

The medical records of 18 consecutive eyes of 14 patients who received intravitreal injections of ranibizumab for myopic choroidal neovascularization with a follow-up of 5 years were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity, total number of treatments, and complications.

RESULTS

The average number of injections over 5 years was 4.56 ± 3.52. Ten eyes (55.56%) had no need for treatment after the first year. Mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.59 ± 0.47 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Snellen equivalent, 6/24) at baseline to 0.32 ± 0.35 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Snellen equivalent, 6/13) at 1 year, and to 0.38 ± 0.42 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Snellen equivalent, 6/15) at 2 years (P = 0.001 and 0.020, respectively; paired t-test). After 2 years, although mean best-corrected visual acuity remained better than baseline, the difference was not statistically significant. At 5 years, vision improved by at least 1 line for 61.11% of eyes and by more than 3 lines for 33.33%. The final visual acuity of 2 eyes was worse than baseline because of disease activity and profound chorioretinal atrophy, which increased in six eyes. No complications were noted.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal ranibizumab was safe and effective for treating myopic choroidal neovascularization. Only 44% of eyes required retreatment after the first year, and vision improved in more than 60% of eyes over 5 years.