Effect of repeated intravitreal Ranibizumab and Aflibercept injections on the corneal nerves in patients with macular edema

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effect of repeated intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and aflibercept on corneal nerve of patients with macular edema.METHODS: A total of 64 patients(64 eyes)enrolled in our hospital from June 2021 to June 2022 were treated with intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF). There were 20 cases(20 eyes)of diabetic macular edema, 19 cases(19 eyes)of wet age-related macular degeneration and 25 cases(25 eyes)of retinal vein occlusion. Corneal confocal microscope was used to collect images of corneal subbasal nerve plexus before injections and at 1mo after each intravitreal injection based on 3+pro re nata(PRN)treatment regimen. Furthermore, the length and density of corneal nerve were measured.RESULTS: There was no significant difference in corneal nerve density of patients injected with aflibercept between pre-injection and post-injection(P>0.05), while the corneal nerve length after 2nd and 3rd injections was lower than that of pre-injection(all P0.05), and there was no significant differences in corneal nerve density and length after 3 injections of the two drugs(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Repeated intravitreal anti-VEGF drug may affect corneal nerve to some extent. For patients who need repeated intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF, attention should be paid to the changes of corneal nerves.

Keywords

• vascular endothelial growth factor
• cornea
• confocal microscope
• nerve length
• nerve density
• ranibizumab
• aflibercept