BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate, by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG), the macular function of eyes with choroidal neovascularisation due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) before and after the intravitreal use of ranibizumab. METHODS: Fifteen eyes with choroidal neovascularisation due to AMD were studied with OCT and mfERG before, during and at the end of the treatment, one year after the first injection of ranibizumab. The eyes received 0.5 mg ranibizumab every month for the first three months, followed by doses every three months. Thus, during the 12-month study, a total of six ranibizumab injections were given. RESULTS: The level of visual acuity increased significantly with time. A linear mixed-effect analysis showed a borderline negative association between the amount of foveal thickness and time, with a decrease in the mean foveal thickness for one time increment. The retinal response density of the mfERG showed a significant increase in ring 1 and remained almost unchanged in ring 2, whereas there was a statistically insignificant increase in ring 3. Finally, the mean latency remained unchanged throughout the 12 months of treatment in all three rings. CONCLUSION: The intravitreal use of ranibizumab might result in an increase of the mfERG in the foveal area. Only a borderline inverse association was shown between the amount of foveal thickness and time. Also, the level of visual acuity statistically significantly improved over time. Randomised long-term clinical trials are needed to determine the potential clinical benefit of ranibizumab.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate, by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG), the macular function of eyes with choroidal neovascularisation due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) before and after the intravitreal use of ranibizumab. METHODS: Fifteen eyes with choroidal neovascularisation due to AMD were studied with OCT and mfERG before, during and at the end of the treatment, one year after the first injection of ranibizumab. The eyes received 0.5 mg ranibizumab every month for the first three months, followed by doses every three months. Thus, during the 12-month study, a total of six ranibizumab injections were given. RESULTS: The level of visual acuity increased significantly with time. A linear mixed-effect analysis showed a borderline negative association between the amount of foveal thickness and time, with a decrease in the mean foveal thickness for one time increment. The retinal response density of the mfERG showed a significant increase in ring 1 and remained almost unchanged in ring 2, whereas there was a statistically insignificant increase in ring 3. Finally, the mean latency remained unchanged throughout the 12 months of treatment in all three rings. CONCLUSION: The intravitreal use of ranibizumab might result in an increase of the mfERG in the foveal area. Only a borderline inverse association was shown between the amount of foveal thickness and time. Also, the level of visual acuity statistically significantly improved over time. Randomised long-term clinical trials are needed to determine the potential clinical benefit of ranibizumab.