Early Response to Ranibizumab Is Associated with 12-Month Outcome in Diabetic Macular Edema after Prior Macular Laser Therapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of ranibizumab in persistent or recurrent diabetic macular edema (DME) after previous laser therapy.

METHODS: This prospective, interventional study consisted of a 3-month period of scheduled ranibizumab treatment followed by a 9-month period of pro re nata treatment.

RESULTS: A total of 21 eyes (18 patients) were included. Both best corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness had statistically significantly improved from baseline at month 12 (p < 0.001). The mean number of injections within these 12 months was 7.8 ± 2.6 (range 3-11). The visual change at month 12 did not vary by more than 5 letters from the response observed at week 12.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a beneficial effect from ranibizumab in DME patients previously treated with macular laser therapy. The response at week 12 was sustained up to 1 year. A suboptimal early visual response may predict a long-term suboptimal response and help identify patients who would benefit from an alternative regimen.