Efficacy of ranibizumab intravitreal injections in patients with macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion and primary glaucoma

PURPOSE: To study the efficacy of ranibizumab intravitreal injections in patients with macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion and primary glaucoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group included 61 patients with macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion. 27 (44%) patients with macular edema had primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG): 11 (41%) of 27 patients were diagnosed stage I POAG, other 16 (59%) — with stage II. The remaining 34 (56%) of 61 patients with macular edema without POAG comprised a comparison group. All patients underwent a standard ophthalmic examination, spectral optical coherence tomography of the macular zone and the optic nerve head prior to treatment and after the intravitreal injections. We performed ranibizumab intravitreal injections according to the standard protocol. A statistical analysis was conducted.

RESULTS: Patients of both study groups showed a significant increase of the best corrected visual acuity compared to baseline and a decrease of both foveal thickness and volume, without a statistically significant difference between groups after intravitreal injections of ranibizumab. We did not register a significant increase in the level of intraocular pressure from baseline, or a decrease of optic nerve head parameters after intravitreal injections of ranibizumab.

CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injections of ranibizumab are an effective and safe treatment for macular edema in patients with retinal vein occlusion and POAG.

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