Intravitreal ranibizumab monotherapy to treat retinopathy of prematurity zone II, stage 3 with plus disease

Marcel N Menke, Carsten Framme, Mathias Nelle, Markus R Berger, Veit Sturm, Sebastian Wolf, Marcel N Menke, Carsten Framme, Mathias Nelle, Markus R Berger, Veit Sturm, Sebastian Wolf

Abstract

Background: Treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) stage 3 plus with bevacizumab is still very controversial. We report the outcome of 6 eyes of 4 premature infants with ROP stage 3 plus disease treated with ranibizumab monotherapy.

Methods: Six eyes of 4 premature infants with threshold ROP 3 plus disease in zone II, were treated with one intravitreal injection of 0.03 ml ranibizumab. No prior laser or other intravitreal therapy was done. Fundus examination was performed prior to the intervention and at each follow-up visit. Changes in various mean vital parameters one week post intervention compared to one week pre-intervention were assessed.

Results: The gestational age (GA) of patient 1, 2, 3, and 4 at birth was 24 5/7, 24 5/7, 24 4/7, and 26 1/7 weeks, respectively. The birth weight was 500 grams, 450 grams, 665 grams, and 745 grams, respectively. The GA at the date of treatment ranged from 34 3/7 to 38 6/7 weeks. In one infant, upper air way infection was observed 2 days post injection of the second eye. Three eyes required paracentesis to reduce the intraocular pressure after injection and to restore central artery perfusion. After six months, all eyes showed complete retinal vascularisation without any signs of disease recurrence.

Conclusions: Treatment of ROP 3 plus disease with intravitreal ranibizumab was effective in all cases and should be considered for treatment. One infant developed an upper air way infection suspicious for nasopharyngitis, which might be a possible side effect of ranibizumab. Another frequent complication was intraocular pressure rise after injection. More patients with longer follow-up duration are mandatory to confirm the safety and efficacy of this treatment.

Trial registration number: NCT02164604; Date of registration: 13.06.2014.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Funduspictures taken from patient 4. Top: Funduscopic findings before ranibizumab injections show plus disease with tortuous, dilated blood vessels. On the right, the ridge with neovascularisations can be appreciated under sclera indentation. Middle: One week post-injection plus disease has almost completely disappeared. Bottom: Six month post treatment, retinal vascularisation is complete without recurrence of ROP.

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