Abstract
Purpose:
To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab injection (IVR) for central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) using treat-and-extend (TAE) regimen.
Methods:
Twenty eyes of 12 CRVO patients (6 males and 6 females, mean age 70.9 ± 12.2 years) who were treated with IVR using TAE regimen for one year were studied.Monthly injections continued until the central retinal thickness (CRT) decreased to ≤ 300 μm which was determined by optical coherence tomography. When the CRT was ≤ 300 μm, the re-treatment interval was extended by 2 weeks, up to a maximum of 16 weeks. If the CRT was more than 300 μm, this interval was shortened by 1 week. The main outcome measures were 1) changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), CRT, 2) annual number of IVR injection, and 3) the final interval between IVR injections.
Results:
The mean BCVA (logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution, log MAR) improved significantly from 0.49 ± 0.39 at baseline to 0.23± 0.33 at 1 year (p = 0.0002, paired t-test). The mean CRT decreased significantly from 558.5 ± 167.3 μm at baseline to 266.3 ± 65.8 μm at 1 year, (p < 0.0001, paired t-test). The mean number of IVR injection was 7.3 ± 2.9 (6 to 12) times in a year, with a mean interval between injections of 10 ± 4.5 weeks.
Conclusions:
The use of a TAE regimen for IVR therapy in CRVO was highly effective in improving and maintaining both BCVA and CRT at 1 year. The mean number of IVR injections and the mean interval between them was very variable between cases. Long-term observation and comparisons with pro re nata treatment are needed.<br /> <br />