Conserved regression patterns of retinopathy of prematurity after intravitreal ranibizumab: A class effect.

PURPOSE: To determine if fluorescein angiographic (FA) findings after intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) conform to a class effect previously described with bevacizumab.

METHODS

Single-center retrospective case series of all infants treated with 0.2 mg (0.02 mL) IVR for Type 1 ROP from July 2016 to November 2018. FA were obtained at 40, 52, 62, and 72 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA) using wide-angle photography. FA images were analyzed and the peripheral avascular areas measured with ImageJ using a reference disc diameter (DD). Based on the extent of the avascular area and tortuosity of the retinal vessels all eyes were classified into four categories: complete vascular maturity (vascularization within 2 DD of the ora serrata), VAA (avascular area >2 DD of the ora serrata), VAT (avascular area >2 DD of the ora serrata and posterior tortuosity), and reactivation (recurrence of stage disease).

RESULTS

About 13 infants were enrolled and 24 eyes were available in this study. None of the eyes reached complete vascular maturity at an average PMA of 60 weeks, 7 (29%) eyes presented with VAA, 8 (33%) with VAT, and 9 (37.5%) reactivated. The reactivated eyes presented with the largest area of peripheral ischemia, followed by the VAT and then the VAA groups (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

IVR conforms to the previously described regression patterns following intravitreal bevacizumab for ROP indicative of a class effect. Follow-up using FA might help to optimize the management of these infants after injection of the drug.