Combination Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Modified Panretinal Photocoagulation in Management of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Purpose:

This work evaluates the effects of combined intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) and modified panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) for management of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Methods:

This retrospective case series included 37 eyes of 33 patients with high-risk PDR. Anti-VEGF injections (≥ 2) were followed by modified, midperipheral PRP performed in 2 or more sessions. Visual and anatomic outcomes were tracked for 1 year after treatment. Regression analysis was performed for factors predictive of final outcomes.

Results:

Mean visual acuity (VA) at initial and final visit were 20/50 and 20/40 (P = .22), respectively, over a mean follow-up duration of 341.4 days. Central foveal thickness decreased from 321.8 µm to 258.6 µm (P = .01). Resolution of PDR was achieved in 94.6% of eyes, with 5.4% of eyes requiring additional anti-VEGF for persistent neovascularization. Final VA was significantly associated with baseline VA, VA at 1 month, and any adverse anatomical events. Treatment noncompliance was present in 24.3%; compliance decreased with increasing medical comorbidities, but was not significantly associated with final VA.

Conclusions:

Combination of anti-VEGF and modified PRP preserved VA and yielded PDR regression in the majority of eyes. This combination provides rapid PDR regression with anti-VEGF while achieving durable disease suppression in this real-world cohort without traditional PRP.