Abstract
Purpose :
To identify optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters and serological markers as predictors for diabetic macular oedema (DMO) progression and treatment response, in patients undergoing intravitreal bevacizumab injections for the first time within the Maltese population
Methods :
A retrospective, non-comparative and consecutive case series design. Baseline imaging data and clinical documents of 65 eyes, subjected to intravitreal bevacizumab injections for the first time between January and December 2016 were analysed and the anatomical and functional outcomes (BCVA) following the initial 3 injection loading phase were measured. Comorbidities studied included diabetic control, lipid levels, history of macular laser therapy and the presence of specific diabetic macular oedema morphotypes on OCT.
Results :
A reduction of 11.23% (p <0.0005) in CMT was noted following the initial IVB loading dose. An improved anatomical response was noted in female patients (p = 0.032) as well as in patients who exhibited diffuse retinal thickening (DRT) on OCT (p = 0.047). Poor anatomical response to IVB therapy was associated with the presence of cystoid macular changes (p = 0.04) and presence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (p = .001)
Conclusions :
Gender, retinopathy grade and the DMO morphotype observed on OCT were noted to affect the response to IVB in this cohort of Maltese patients who exhibited an overall improvement following the initial loading phase. The results obtained may be implemented in clinical decision making when opting for anti-VEGF therapy however further studies should be carried out to further support these findings
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.