MyVisionTest News Archive
Nov 26, 2009
Lucentis therapy ineffective for pigment epithelial detachment
Lucentis (ranibizumab) is ineffective in treating avascular pigment epithelial detachment (PED) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) over a 1 year follow-up period, according to a new study.
A PED occurs when fluid enters the space between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid (Figure). A serous PED is when aqueous fluid enters this space, a hemorrhage PED is when blood does. PEDs are often seen in eyes with various types of choroidal vascular abnormalities in exudative AMD, such as choroidal neovascularization, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, and retinal angiomatous proliferation. There is currently no effective treatment for PED, although photodynamic therapy and anti-VEGF have been used with some success. Earlier short-term reports found that anti-VEGF therapy was superior to photodynamic therapy of PED. Treatment of large PEDs with anti-VEGF agents have been associated with RPE tears.
In this prospective case series, the first group of six patients received three and the second group of six patients received six intravitreal injections of Lucentis (0.5 mg) at monthly intervals. Outcome measures included the change of PED and retinal volume as determined by spectral domain optical coherence tomography, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and macular sensitivity using microperimetry.
The mean baseline PED volume of 1.33 mm3 decreased significantly by 42% at month 6 (-0.55 mm3, P<0.05). Compared to baseline no significant change was observed at months 9 and 12. BCVA, retinal volume, and macular sensitivity remained stable during the entire follow-up. In one case a tear of the retinal pigment epithelium was observed after five injections with a consequent decrease of BCVA of four lines.
The investigators conclude that treatment with intravitreal injections of Lucentis may temporarily decrease the volume of avascular PED secondary to AMD, however this effect was not maintained over the 1-year study period. The treatment was ineffective for improving retinal function as measured with BCVA and microperimetry.
Read more...
Eye (Lond). 2009 Nov 13. [Epub ahead of print]
Tags: wet AMD, pigment epithelial detachment, Lucentis, RPE tear
Lucentis (ranibizumab) is ineffective in treating avascular pigment epithelial detachment (PED) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) over a 1 year follow-up period, according to a new study.A PED occurs when fluid enters the space between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid (Figure). A serous PED is when aqueous fluid enters this space, a hemorrhage PED is when blood does. PEDs are often seen in eyes with various types of choroidal vascular abnormalities in exudative AMD, such as choroidal neovascularization, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, and retinal angiomatous proliferation. There is currently no effective treatment for PED, although photodynamic therapy and anti-VEGF have been used with some success. Earlier short-term reports found that anti-VEGF therapy was superior to photodynamic therapy of PED. Treatment of large PEDs with anti-VEGF agents have been associated with RPE tears.
The mean baseline PED volume of 1.33 mm3 decreased significantly by 42% at month 6 (-0.55 mm3, P<0.05). Compared to baseline no significant change was observed at months 9 and 12. BCVA, retinal volume, and macular sensitivity remained stable during the entire follow-up. In one case a tear of the retinal pigment epithelium was observed after five injections with a consequent decrease of BCVA of four lines.
The investigators conclude that treatment with intravitreal injections of Lucentis may temporarily decrease the volume of avascular PED secondary to AMD, however this effect was not maintained over the 1-year study period. The treatment was ineffective for improving retinal function as measured with BCVA and microperimetry.
Read more...
Eye (Lond). 2009 Nov 13. [Epub ahead of print]
