The effect of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections on corneal endothelium in patients with diabetic macular oedema. (3rd April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chatziralli, Irini; Papadakou, Panagiota; Dimitriou, Eleni; Kazantzis, Dimitrios; Kapsis, Petros; Theodossiadis, George; Papathanassiou, Miltiadis; Theodossiadis, Panagiotis
• Is Part Of: Cutaneous and ocular toxicology. Volume 40:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 66
• Page End: 69
• Publication Date: 2021-04-03
• Subjects: Corneal endothelium -- diabetic macular oedema -- anti-VEGF injections -- ranibizumab -- aflibercept; Dermatotoxicology -- Periodicals; Ocular toxicology -- Periodicals; Ocular pharmacology -- Periodicals; Dermatopharmacology -- Periodicals; Toxicology -- Periodicals; 615.9
• DOI: 10.1080/15569527.2021.1887886
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1556-9527

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics of corneal parameters in patients with diabetic macular oedema (DME) treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections. Methods: Participants in this study were 36 patients with DME, treated with either intravitreal ranibizumab ( n = 16) or aflibercept ( n = 20). All participants underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, optical coherence tomography and non-contact specular microscopy to evaluate corneal endothelium parameters (endothelial cell density-ECD, hexagonality, coefficient of variation of the cell size and central corneal thickness-CCT), at baseline and at months 6 and 12 after the first intravitreal injection. Comparisons between baseline and months 6 and 12 were performed. Results: There was no statistically significant difference regarding ECD, hexagonality, coefficient of variation of the cell size and CCT at month 6 and 12 post initial injection compared to baseline in patients with DME. BCVA improved significantly at month 6 and 12 compared to baseline ( p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Central retinal thickness was significantly reduced at month 6 and 12 compared to baseline ( p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Conclusion: Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections in patients with DME were found not to affect corneal parameters, namely ECD, hexagonality, coefficient of variation of the cell size and CCT at the long-term follow-up of 12 months.