COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF INTRAVITREAL RANIBIZUMAB MONOTHERAPY WITH COMBINED INTRAVITREAL RANIBIZUMAB AND LASER PHOTOCOAGULATION THERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA.

Background: In this study, best corrected visual acuity and macular thickness were compared before and after intravitreal injection Ranibizumab monotherapy and combined therapy of injection Ranibizumab and laser, in patients with macular oedema ≥350µm measured with spectral domain OCT. Objective:Our specific objective is to identify the best treatment option in NPDR with macular thickness ≥350µm in Type 2 diabetic retinopathy patients depending upon the anatomical and functional outcome in each group. Method: Sixty (60) newly diagnosed eyes of NPDR with macular oedema (30 patients in each group) attending retina research clinic of Regional Institute of Ophthalmology,Kolkata were included in this study. Result: This parallel group comparison trial has shown that a combination of 3 consecutive monthly doses of intravitreal ranibizumab followed by modified grid laser therapy 7-10 days latter is more effective in reducing central macular thickness in comparison to only multiple injections of ranibizumab,but there is no difference in the final best corrected visual acuity attained in between the two groups. Conclusion: Laser photocoagulation along withanti-vascularendothelialgrowthfactoragentisthestrongerweapontofightagainstblindnessindiabeticmacularedema