Refractive changes after intravitreal ranibizumab injections for diabetic macular oedema

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate refractive changes after intravitreal ranibizumab injections for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema.

Methods

Participants in this retrospective study were 35 patients (35 eyes) with diabetic macular oedema, who received intravitreal ranibizumab injections. Spherical equivalent refractive power was evaluated before treatment and at least one-month after the last injection where no fluid existed. Demographic characteristics, visual acuity, central retinal thickness and the number of injections were recorded and analysed.

Results

The spherical equivalent refractive power did not differ significantly pre‐ or post‐injections. Changes in visual acuity and central retinal thickness were statistically significant before and after injections.

Conclusions

Intravitreal ranibizumab injections did not seem to affect the refractive power of patients with diabetic macular oedema. Therefore, appropriate spectacle correction can be prescribed any time during ongoing treatment with ranibizumab injections.

Key words:

• diabetic macular oedema
• ranibizumab
• refraction