NOV 08, 2010
Retina/Vitreous
Earlier this year the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR.net) published a study showing that nearly 50 percent of patients receiving ranibizumab plus laser treatment experienced substantial visual improvement after one year, compared with 28 percent who received standard laser treatment. Results were similar whether focal/grid laser was given beginning with the first injection or was deferred for 24 weeks.
These results were based on rigorous adherence to a detailed retreatment algorithm that calls for as-needed treatment until vision stabilizes or the patient's improvement plateaus. As a result, patients were followed continuously for two years. The study data showed additional ranibizumab and/or laser were necessary in most eyes through two years of follow-up, even if the success criteria were met early in the treatment course.
During the 2010 Retina Subspecialty Day, Susan Bressler, MD, offered guidance on how to apply the re-treatment algorithm from this important study to clinical practice.
"Understanding how they managed the patient is critical to applying the study results to clinical practice," Dr. Bressler said. "Patients were seen every single month for the entire first year and were re-treated based on a 4:2:7 guide. It's pretty complicated."
But Dr. Bressler makes it simple. View high-resolution video of her slides with synchronized audio.