Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Michelitsch, M.
The incidende and treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema at the Medical University Eye-Clinc Graz for a period of 2 years
[ Diplomarbeit ] Graz Medical University; 2012. pp. 49
[OPEN ACCESS]
FullText
- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Gasser-Steiner Vanessa
- Michelitsch Monja
- Betreuer*innen:
- Gasser-Steiner Vanessa
- Thaler-Saliba Sarah
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- BACKGROUND: A leading cause for permanent vision loss in diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy is the occurrence of diabetic macular edema (DME). New treatments, anti-vascular endothelial growth factors, for DME have been under trial and found to improve visual acuity more effective than the standard treatment, central photocoagulation, which mainly stabilizes visual acuity. Lucentis®, a anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, has been approved in Austria since the beginning of 2011 for the treatment of DME. DESIGN AND METHOD: DME, the diagnostics and possible treatments have been resumed in the theory part of the thesis. The literature review is followed by a retrospective 2-year analysis on all eyes of patients with initial occurrence of macular edema, visiting the Medical University Eye-Clinic Graz between 01/07/2009 and 31/06/2011. PURPOSE: To estimate the future number of visiting DME patients and their treatment demands at the Medical University Eye-Clinic Graz, thereby allowing efficient resource planning and management. OUTCOME MEASURES: Main outcome is a 2-year incidence for DME at the Medical University Eye-Clinic Graz. Further outcomes are the distribution of treatments or treatment combinations received, the number of intravitreal medication applied as treatment and lastly visual acuity changes achieved during or after treatment. RESULTS: The incidence rate per eye for the first year period was 105 persons and for the second year period 101 persons. Of the 226 treated eyes, 40.1% received ¿laser treatment plus Avastin® injections¿, 25.2% ¿laser treatment¿, 21.1% ¿Avastin® injections¿ and 13.2% ¿additional Triesence® injections¿. A total number of 343 intravitreal injections over two years were administered, of which 293 were Avastin® injections with the majority of Avastin-treated eyes receiving one to two injections. Of the 306 eyes with DME, 26.8% improved into at least one higher visual acuity range, 33.0% remained stable staying in the same visual acuity range and 13.6% worsened into at least one lower visual acuity range. No statistical significance in visual acuity changes was present between treatments and treatment combinations in this study. CONCLUSION: Avastin®, a cost-effective anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, currently remains an off-label medication for DME, even though its efficiency, anatomically and functionally is similar to the approved Lucentis®.