The Short-Term Efficacy of Intravitreal Ranibizumab in the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the short-term effect of an intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in the treatment of diabetic macular edema. METHODS: Eighteen eyes of 18 patients who underwent intravitreal ranibizumab injection for the treatment of diabetic macular edema between March 1 and November 30, 2009 were retrospectively evaluated. Complete ophthalmic examinations including best corrected visual acuity and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed at baseline and follow-up visits at one and three months. RESULTS: The mean Visual Acuity Improved From Logmar 0.74 +/- 0.45 At Baseline To Logmar 0.44 +/- 0.26 At One Month And To Logmar 0.42 +/- 0.23 At Three Months (P < 0.05). The Mean Central Macular Thickness Decreased From 429.5 +/- 71.9 microM At Baseline To 299.9 +/- 81.2 microM At One Month And To 284.6 +/- 82.6 microM At Three Months (P < 0.05). No Adverse Side Effects Were Observed Following the injections. CONCLUSIONS: The observed macular edema and visual acuity improvements demonstrated that intravitreal ranibizumab injection may be useful for the treatment of patients with diabetic macular edema.