Comparative study of the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab versus its combination with intravitreal dexamethasone in the treatment of diabetic macular edema
Mohamed A.M. Aly, Mahmoud O. Khaled, Khaled G. Abueleinen, Rana A. Abdel FattahPurpose
Diabetic macular edema imposes a substantial cause of central vision loss worldwide. Anti- vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, such as ranibizumab, has become the standard of care for diabetic macular edema. In this study, we investigated the effect of using combined therapy of ranibizumab and dexamethasone compared with ranibizumab alone on best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST), intraocular pressure (IOP), and the number of needed injections till dryness is achieved.
Patients and methods
Prospective comparative study; one group received three ranibizumab injections, the other group received combined ranibizumab and dexamethasone followed by pro renata injections.
Results
There was statistically significant improvement in the BCVA and CST with no statistical difference between both groups (P 0.316, 0.113), respectively. No statistically significant change was observed in the final IOP, compared with baseline, in either group (P 0.658, 0.208). The combined therapy showed a statistically significant lower number of needed injections (mean 2.6 injections).
Conclusion
Adding dexamethasone injection to ranibizumab would decrease the financial burden of injections with significant improvement of BCVA and CST, and insignificant effect on IOP.