Benefits of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition in treatment of diabetic macular edema

Introduction. Untreated diabetic macular edema (DME) is a serious ophthalmic complication of diabetes, which leads to the worsening of vision. Research objectives. To evaluate the efficacy of diabetic macular edema (DME) treatment with inhibitors of the vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) in a real-world setting over 3 years. Material and Methods. Retrospective analysis of 10 DME eyes treated with anti-VEGF injections over 3 years. The evaluation of changes in the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST) and the number of injections. Results. A mean BCVA gain from the baseline in the group +6.6, +4.8 and +7.5 letters (after 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of treatment). 90% of patients at the baseline had BCVA < 20/40, after treatment 40%, 40% and 20% (after 1st, 2nd and 3rd year). The median number of anti-VEGF injections 8.5 (1st year), 4 (2nd year) and 0 (3rd year). The mean CST reduction from the baseline -142.4 μm, -155.6 μm, -120.5 μm (after 1st, 2nd, 3rd year). Conclusions. Positive effects of DEM treatment with anti-VEGF from RCTs are achievable in a real-world setting in Slovakia.