Intravitreal Ziv-Aflibercept in Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema Refractory to Intravitreal Bevacizumab

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal ziv-aflibercept (IVZ) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) resistant to intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in patients with persistent DME. Patients were switched to IVZ no longer than 6 weeks after the last three consecutive monthly IVB treatments and monitored over a course of 12 weeks. Changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and macular volume on optical coherence tomography were compared. RESULTS: A total of 59 eyes (38 patients) were included. Mean BCVA improved from 0.84 to 0.71 IogMAR (P = .001) after first IVZ treatment and remained significant. In a subgroup analysis, this significance was observed only in the group with baseline visual acuity of less than 20/50. Mean CMT decreased from 479 mu m to 364 mu m (P = .004) after the first IVZ injections and remained significant. CONCLUSION: IVZ may be best reserved for patients with persistent DME after initial failure with bevacizumab, with less likelihood for anatomic or functional improvement in those with mild persistent DME.