Clinical Outcomes of Eyes With Diabetic Macular Edema Switched From Aflibercept to Ranibizumab Therapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

In 2018, cases of inflammation were reported after intravitreal aflibercept (IVA), which resulted in switches to intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR). The authors' purpose was to evaluate outcomes after switching from IVA to IVR in diabetic macular edema (DME).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective cohort study. Eyes switched from IVA to IVR for treating DME were included. Data were gathered from three visits before to three visits post-switch. Outcome measures included central subfoveal thickness (CFT) and Snellen visual acuity (VA).

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant increase in CFT at the first visit (325 μm ± 234 μm; P = .006) compared to the switch visit, but no difference later visits (268 μm ± 103 μm; P = .32; 284 μm ± 118 μm; P = .11; n = 54). There was no statistically significant change in mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution VA between the switch and later visits (0.43 ± 0.38, P = .95; 0.38 ± 0.30, P = .12; 0.41 ± 0.37, P = .69).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors observed transient worsening of macular edema in eyes treated for DME when switched from aflibercept to ranibizumab. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:691-697.].