The Long-Term Observation of the Beneficial Effects of Treatment: 0.12 mg Anti-VEGF Monotherapy or Anti-VEGF Combined Therapy and Diode-Laser in Various Stages of Retinopathy of Prematurity—Series of Cases

Abstract

Background 2-year observations of ranibizumab monotherapy and combined therapy with diode laser for severe ROP in extremely prematures. Materials and methods: In a group of 18 prematures (n = 36 eyes; 5 study groups); 25.8 ± 1.5 Hbd, birth weight 796.5 ± 166.1 g. Apgar 4.62 ± 1.88) with A-ROP (n = 22; 61%) and 3 ROP (plus) (n = 14; 39%), ranibizumab monotherapy (n = 4 eyes) in dose 0.12 mg/0.12 mL or with diode laser (n = 32 eyes) were applied. The first intervention was carried out in PMA of 33 (gr. 4 and 5) and 34 in (gr. 1, 2, 3), mean follow-up time 21.44 ± 8.7 months. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Welch’s correction, non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test, Chi square test of independence were used. A retrospective observational study based on a case series. Results Retinal attachment was achieved in 92.3% of the studied eyes. Bilateral retinal detachment was noted in 1 infant (2 eyes). Myopization (−0.75 to −7.5 D) was observed in 5 infants (45%); mild hyperopia (+0.5 to +4.5 D) was observed in the rest infants (55%). Conclusions Individualization strategies in severe ROP with lower dose 0.12 mg Ranibizumab or combined laser-therapy resulted in effective outcomes. Myopia has not been reported in patients where Ranibizumab was the first drug administered in the ROP treatment strategy.