Ganglion Cell Complex Evaluation in Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration after Repeated Intravitreal Injections of Ranibizumab

Biomed Res Int. 2015:2015:268796. doi: 10.1155/2015/268796. Epub 2015 Jun 8.

Abstract

Purpose. To detect the effects of intravitreal ranibizumab injections on GCC in patients with wet AMD. Methods. 32 wet AMD eyes were selected and submitted at three ranibizumab injections. RTVue-OCT GCC and MM5 protocol were performed before treatment and twenty days after each injection. Results. At baseline mean GCC thickness was 93.9 ± 18.5 μm. Twenty days after each intravitreal injection it was, respectively, 85.8 ± 10.1, 86.5 ± 9.3, and 91.1 ± 11.5 μm, without statistical significance. A significant improvement in visual acuity (P = 0.031) and a reduction of mean foveal (P = 0.001) and macular thickness (P = 0.001) were observed. Conclusion. The clinical results confirm therapeutic efficacy of intravitreal injections of ranibizumab in wet AMD. A contemporary not statistically significant reduction of GCC thickness suggests that the loading phase of ranibizumab does not have any toxic effects on ganglion cell complex.

Publication types

  • Clinical Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Male
  • Ranibizumab / administration & dosage
  • Ranibizumab / adverse effects
  • Ranibizumab / therapeutic use*
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / drug effects
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / pathology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Acuity / drug effects
  • Wet Macular Degeneration / drug therapy*
  • Wet Macular Degeneration / pathology*
  • Wet Macular Degeneration / physiopathology

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Ranibizumab