INTRAVITREAL INJECTIONS OF ZIV-AFLIBERCEPT FOR DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA: A Pilot Study

Diabetic macular edema is the leading cause of blindness in young adults in developed countries. Beyond metabolic control, several therapies have been studied such as laser treatment and intravitreal injections of corticosteroids or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs. In terms of public health the long-term treatment with the current available drugs is very expensive and new therapies with the same or better effect should be investigated. This study sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal injections of ziv-aflibercept for the treatment of diabetic macular edema.

Seven consecutive patients with diabetic macular edema were enrolled. A complete examination, including full-field electroretinography, visual acuity, central retinal thickness, and evaluation of systemic and ocular complications, was performed before and at 24 weeks after intravitreal injections of ziv-aflibercept. The seven patients were submitted to six consecutive intravitreal injections of ziv-aflibercept with a 4-week interval.

No significant differences were found in the amplitude or implicit time of any electroretinography component after intravitreal injections of ziv-aflibercept, and no systemic or ocular complication was observed. The improvement of visual acuity was significant at 24 weeks (P < 0.05). The central retinal thickness significantly decreased during the course of 24 weeks.

Intravitreal injections of ziv-aflibercept seem to be a safe and effective treatment option for diabetic macular edema.