Does completion time of the initiation phase of anti-vascular growth factor affect visual and anatomical outcomes?:...

To demonstrate effect of completion time of initiation phase of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents on visual and anatomical outcomes in diabetic macular oedema patients.

This multicentre, retrospective, comparative study included a subgroup of patients from MARMASIA Study. Two groups were formed according to completion time of initiation phase of anti-VEGF treatment as ideal and extended completion time groups (ICT and ECT groups). Changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) as ETDRS letter score, central macular thickness (CMT) were compared between the groups at 3^rd, 6^th, 12^th months. At 12^th month injection, visit numbers were also evaluated.

A total of 328 eyes of 239 patients were included. Ninety-five eyes were in ICT, 233 eyes were in ECT group. Mean BCVA was significantly better than the baseline at 3^rd, 6^th, 12^th months in ICT and ECT groups (p < 0.001 for all). Mean change in BCVA at months 3, 6, 12 was significantly better in the ICT group than the ECT group (p < 0.001, p = 0.003, p = 0.03, respectively). The mean CMT from baseline to at 3^rd, 6^th, 12^th months was significantly decreased in the ICT and ECT groups (p < 0.0001 for all). Change in mean CMT was significantly higher in the ICT group than in the ECT group at 3^rd, 6^th, 12^th months (p < 0.0001 for all). Mean number of injections, visits were not significantly different between groups (p = 0.2).

Initiation phase injections must be completed within a maximum of 70 days (between injections 28 + 7 days) for better visual and anatomical outcomes.