Intravitreal ranibizumab injections in patients with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)

Purpose: To describe ocular outcomes after intravitreal ranibizumab injections in patients with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), who had transpupillary laser thermotherapy without regression of the disease. Methods: Historical cohort in Clinica Universitaria Bolivariana (CUB) during 2008-2015. Evaluation of patients with aggressive posterior ROP, threshold disease, who received intravitreal ranibizumab secondary to treatment with transpupillary thermotherapy. The primary outcome was treatment success defined as the resolution of neovascularization (NV) and no recurrence. The secondary endpoints were visual acuity and ocular and systemic complications. Results: Eight eyes of four patients were included in the study. Six eyes had resolution of retinopathy, Incidence density 48 x 100 person years, 95 % CI = 17.6 - 100 with a median follow-up of 23.5 months, range 13-90 months. No ocular or systemic complications associated with the procedure was found. Conclusion: This cohort suggests that intravitreal injection of ranibizumab for ROP in refractory laser photocoagulation cases, results in apparent ocular preservation a long-term the outcome.