Characteristics of diabetic macular edema on optical coherence tomography may change over time or after treatment

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate optical coherence tomography (OCT) characteristics in diabetic macular edema (DME) over time and after treatment.

Patients and methods

OCT morphological features in DME eyes treated with ranibizumab with at least 1 year of follow-up were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Thirty-five eyes were included. From baseline to Month 12, mean visual gain was 7.2±13.6 letters and mean central retinal thickness reduction was 61.9±121.8 μm. Fovea-involving ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption was significantly associated with final vision of <70 letters. Subretinal fluid at baseline was present only in eyes naïve to previous intravitreal pharmacotherapy and was related to better visual gain and fewer injections. Treatment-naïve eyes had shorter DME duration and less EZ damage.

Conclusion

DME characteristics on OCT may change over time or after treatment. Subretinal fluid may be associated with earlier change and less EZ damage in DME.

Keywords:

• diabetic macular edema
• optical coherence tomography
• OCT
• subretinal fluid
• SRF
• vascular endothelial growth factor
• VEGF

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.