TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ophthalmologica published the results of a study conducted by Tampa’s Retina Associates of Florida comparing treatment with a single intravitreal injection of Ranibizumab plus directed peripheral laser treatment against standard therapy in patients with diabetic macular edema associated with peripheral retinal nonperfusion. Only 33 percent of patients in the experimental group required retreatment within six months, compared to 80 percent receiving standard therapy.
DME is the leading cause of vision loss in working-age patients and new cases of legal blindness. Current treatment necessitates monthly injections of anti-VEGF medications, such as Ranibizumab.
“There are various causes of DME,” said Lead Author Ivan Suñer, M.D. “By identifying specific causes with novel imaging modalities, we may be able to better treat the specific form of DME."
In this subset of patients, exclusively injecting with anti-VEGF agents improves the leakage, but does not reverse the underlying circulation problem. “With this type of DME, repeated treatment only blocks the end product (excess VEGF production by ischemic retina), but does not address the underlying pathobiology,” Suñer added. “It’s akin to fixing a leaky roof by putting a bucket under the leak.”
Investigators guided laser treatment with ultra-wide-field fluorescein angiography. The control group received a single intravitreal steroid along with macular laser treatment. RAF conducted a six-month, randomized, controlled, prospective, phase I/II study of 30 eyes, with 22 patients (eight patients were affected in both eyes). The next step is a larger study with more patients, and a longer observation period.
Ophthalmalologica published “RaScaL: A Pilot Study to Assess the Efficacy, Durability, and Safety of a Single Intervention with Ranibizumab plus Peripheral Laser for Diabetic Macular Edema Associated with Peripheral Nonperfusion on Ultra-wide-Field Fluorescein Angiography” online on November 26, 2014 and in its February 2015 print edition.
Based in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, Retina Associates of Florida is a state-of-the art diagnostic and treatment center and leading clinical research center for macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases. Consistently voted "Best Doctors in America," its physicians have pioneered several procedures and conducted clinical trials on ophthalmic treatments. Contact RAF at 800-282-9141, info@retinaassociates.com, or www.tamparetina.com.
