Switching to Conbercept in Diabetic Macular Edema After Unsatisfactory Response to Previous Intravitreal Injection of Ranibizumab

Abstract

Objective

To assess the functional and anatomical effects of transitioning to conbercept intravitreal injection (IVC) treatment in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) who had inadequate responses to prior anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections.

Methods

We retrospectively included eyes with persistent DME after at least 3 injections of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR). The analysis included the assessment of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) during 6 months after the switch.

Results

A total of 30 patients (30 eyes) were included. CMT dropped sharply from 437.8±40.67μm at baseline to 363.59±45.09,312.52 ± 39.15, 278.51 ± 37.92, and 292.59 ± 38.09 after 1, 2, 3 and 6 months of IVC, respectively (p <0.001). BCVA in log MAR units was significantly improved from 0.73±0.15 at baseline to 0.50±0.09,0.46±0.72, 0.40±0.06 and 0.48±0.04 after 1, 2, 3 and 6 months, respectively (p <0.001).

Conclusion

Switching to Conbercept effectively improved visual and anatomical structure in DME patients who had not responded satisfactorily to previous anti-VEGF injections.

Keywords:

• diabetic macular edema
• anti-vascular endothelial growth factor
• central macular thickness
• best corrected visual acuity
• DME
• CMT
• anti-VEGF
• BCVA

Data Sharing Statement

The data used to support the findings of this study are included in the article.

Acknowledgments

We thank Home for Researchers editorial team (www.home-for-researchers.com) for improving the English language in this manuscript.

Author Contributions

All authors made substantial contributions to the conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; participated in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in this work.