Abstract
Purpose: :
to compare visual acuity variation, retina sensitivity and macular fixation related to diabetic macular edema OCT patterns in patients treated with intravitreal bevacizumabMaterials and
Methods: :
20 eyes of 15 patients affected by persistent diabetic macular edema were included in this study (mean follow up 5.3 months). A complete ophthalmological examination was performed before the treatment and at 1-2-3 months after the bevacizumab injection, completed by fluorescin angiography, OCT/SLO OTI and MP1 NIDEK microperimetry evaluation. We classified OCT macular edema patterns in 3 Groups: sponge like (Group 1) cystoid (Group 2), serous foveal detachment (Group 3) as reported in literature.
Results: :
OCT examination identified before the treatment 7 eyes on Group 1, 7 eyes on Group 2, 6 eyes on Group 3; at 3 months post treatment 12 eyes on Group 1, 6 eyes on Group 2, 2 eyes on Group 3. In all patients mean visual acuity was 0.32 on pretreatment evaluation and 0.63 at 3 months after the bevacizumab injection. Pretreatment mean retinal sensitivity was 7.2 dB and at 3 months post treatment 9.6 dB. Data analysis on each specified Group showed a significative correlation factor on Group 1 and 2 between retinal sensitivity and VA improvement on pretreatment and 3 months post-treatment evaluation.
Conclusions: :
our study showed the correlation between post treatment visual acuity improvement and retinal-photoreceptor preservation, measured with functional macular parameters. Retinal sensitivity represents a predictive factor to assess the efficacy of the treatment, more than a simple evidence of OCT retinal thinning.
Keywords: vascular endothelial growth factor • diabetic retinopathy • perimetry