Diabetic Macular Edema Patients with Poor Baseline Visual Acuity Treated with Ranibizumab in Real Life and Optical Coherence Tomography Based Predictor Factors for Visual Outcomes

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the real life outcomes of ranibizumab in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) patients with a baseline visual acuity<0.05 in decimals. Methods: Newly diagnosed DME patients with a visual acuity <= 0.05, treated with ranibizumab monotherapy, and completed a follow-up time of 12 months were included retrospectively. Patients were evaluated in regards to change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness, and the total visit and injection numbers. Results: A total of 24 eyes of 24 patients were included. Mean BCVA at baseline, month 3, 6, 9, and 12 was, 0.04 +/- 0.01, 0.12 +/- 0.12, 0.12 +/- 0.11, 0.17 +/- 0.19, and 0.21 +/- 0.21 (p<0.05 for all), respectively. One eye (4.2%) had VA loss of >= 3 lines, and six eyes (25.0%) had stable vision (loss of <3 line, or remained stable, or gained <1 lines), and 17 eyes (70.8%) had VAgain of >= 3 lines at month 12.The mean visit number at month 12 was 4.8 +/- 1 and the mean injection number was 4.0 +/- 1.4. Conclusion: Ranibizumab seemed to be effective in the treatment of DME patients with a low visual acuity in real life.