Results of 2 years of treatment with as-needed ranibizumab reinjection for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Abstract

Purpose To investigate the 2-year outcomes of three monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injections followed by as-needed reinjections to treat polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods Seventy-five consecutive eyes with naïve symptomatic PCV with 2 years of follow-up after treatment were studied prospectively. Results The mean (±SD) numbers of injections were 4.2±1.3 that included three monthly injections in the loading phase and 1.6±1.7 during years 1 and 2, respectively (mean 2-year total, 5.6±1.9). The baseline logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity (VA) was 0.59±0.51 that improved significantly (p=0.001 for both comparisons) to 0.37±0.33 and 0.41±0.40 at 1 and 2 years, respectively, after the first injection. Although no significant difference was found between years 1 and 2 after the first injection, the VA tended to decrease slightly during year 2. The improved foveal thickness was maintained during year 2. Thirty (40%) eyes and 19 (25%) eyes, respectively, at years 1 and 2 after the first injection had no polypoidal lesions on indocyanine green angiography. A branching vascular network (BVN) remained in all eyes 2 years after the first injection and tended to increase in size during year 2. Conclusions The 2-year outcomes showed significant VA and foveal thickness improvements in eyes with PCV. During year 2, the magnitude of the improvement was lower compared with year 1. An as-needed reinjection schedule might not prevent polypoidal lesions or BVNs from regrowing. Further investigations should establish a treatment strategy for PCV.