ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: to investigate intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular blood flow (OBF) changes as well as the individual normal range of IOP in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with or without concomitant glaucoma after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Group 1 included 34 patients (34 eyes) with AMD and no glaucoma, group 2-34 patients (34 eyes) with both AMD and glaucoma. In all patients the IOP and OBF were measured (with Ocular Blood Flow Analyzer) and the individual normal range of lOP calculated before the treatment, on the third day after the injection and at the 1-month follow-up visit. Statistical analysis was performed by STATISTICA 10. RESULTS: In group 1 there were no significant changes in ocular blood flow at different times after ranibizumab injection. In group 2 a considerable decrease in OBF was detected 1 month after the injection (p<0.001). In group 1 the intraocular pressure was at the same level before and after the treatment. In group 2 the IOP significantly decreased on the third day after the anti-VEGF injection (p=0.03) but was back to the initial level in 1 month. The individual normal range of lOP, when calculated on the third day after the injection, appeared to be much lower than before due to a moderate decrease in both IOP and OBF. At the 1-month follow-up the individual normal range of IOP was back to initial values in non-glaucoma patients but remained low in the glaucoma group due to reduced OBF. CONCLUSION: The established decrease in the individual normal range of IOP in the late period after an anti-VEGF injection should be taken into account when managing patients with both AMD and glaucoma.
