Abstract
Purpose :
To determine the outcomes of eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) that were lost to follow up (LTFU) after receiving a combination of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) and intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy.
Methods :
Eyes with PDR receiving combination therapy (PRP + anti-VEGF within 3 months of one another) that were LTFU for greater than 6 months were identified. Clinical data (including visual acuity) was then evaluated at different timepoints.
Results :
A total of 250 eyes were eligible for analysis. Eyes were LTFU for a mean total of 305 (SD 142) days. Mean logMAR at the date LTFU was 0.62 (SD 0.56). LogMAR was significantly worse at the return from LTFU visit [0.82 (SD 0.70) p<0.001)] and the final visit [0.81 (0.75) p<0.001]. On the initial visit 201 (79.8%) of patients had diabetic macular edema (DME), 20 (7.9%) had neovascular glaucoma (NVG) , 22 (8.7%) had tractional retinal detachments (TRD), and 140 (55.6%) had vitreous hemorrhage (VH). On the return visit 197 (78.2%) of patients had DME, 30 (11.9%) had NVG, 26 (10.3%) had TRDs, and 143 (56.7%) had VH. On the final visit 184 (73.0%) of patients had DME, 27 (10.7%) had NVG, 35 (13.9%) had TRDs, and 122 (48.4%) had VH.
Conclusions :
There was a significant, albeit a minimal decline in the visual acuity of eyes that received combination therapy and were LTFU. This may have been attributed to worsening DME or increase in the prevalence of anatomic complications.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.