Bevacizumab versus ranibizumab for refractory diabetic macular edema

• Grant number: 10/16980-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2011
• End date: February 28, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Rodrigo Jorge
• Grantee: Rodrigo Jorge
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: André Marcio Vieira Messias ; Felipe Piacentini Paes de Almeida ; Jefferson Augusto Santana Ribeiro

Abstract

Diabetic macular edema occurs in 29% of patients with diabetic retinopathy, and it constitutes the main cause of visual loss in these patients. Focal or grid laser treatment are traditionally used in the treatment of these patients. However, due to the failure of this treatment in improve macular anatomy and restore visual function in some cases, there is increasing interest in alternative or adjuvant therapies for the management of this disorder. In this context, there are promising reports regarding the adjuvant use of intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) inhibitors in the management of diabetic macular edema.In the present sudy, we propose to compare the effects of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (BEVA; n = 40) versus ranibizumab (RANI; n=40) for diabetic macular edema refactory to laser treatment. Macular morphology will be evaluated by optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography, and visual function will be evaluated by visual acuity measurement and microperimetry. (AU)