Aim To evaluate safety and efficacy of ziv-aflibercept in comparison to ranibizumab for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). Patients and methods A total of 84 patients (84 eyes) with DME and central macular thickness (CMT) greater than 350 μ were included. Patients were divided randomly into two groups. Group I (42 eyes) were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab 0.5 mg /0.05 ml. Group II (42 eyes) were treated with intravitreal ziv-aflibercept 1.25 mg/0.05 ml. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and CMT were assessed at different timepoints: baseline, 4, 12, and 24 weeks. The need of re-injection and any adverse reactions were monitored and reported. Results Both study groups revealed significant improvement in BCVA and reduction of CMT after 4 weeks which were maintained through follow-up period ( P <0.001). There was a nonsignificant favorable improvement of BCVA and CMT in the ziv-aflibercept group compared with the ranibizumab group at the final visit, at the 24 weeks follow-up ( P =0.071 and P =0.277). Patients in ziv-aflibercept group also needed less number of intravitreal injections compared with group received ranibizumab (2.62±0.58 and 4.048±0.7, respectively). None of the included eyes developed any major complications. Conclusion Intravitreal ziv-aflibercept is as safe and effective as ranibizumab for the treatment DME that makes it an attractive alternative, particularly in low to moderate income countries.
Nasr et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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