Effect of ranibizumab combined with retinal laser photocoagulation on levels of VEGF and PDGF-C in aqueous humor of patients with neovascular glaucoma

Abstract

Objective To study the effects of ranibizumab combined with retinal laser photocoagulation on the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived factor (PDGF-C) in aqueous humor of patients with neovascular glaucoma. Methods 96 patients with neovascular glaucoma admitted to our hospital from February, 2018 to April, 2019 were divided into a control group and an observation group according to the random number table method, with 48 cases in each group. The control group was treated with retinal laser photocoagulation, and the observation group with retinal laser photocoagulation and ranibizumab. The clinical efficacies, levels of VEGF and PDGF-C, and incidences of postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results The clinical efficacy was higher in the observation group than in the control group [93.75% (45/48) vs. 79.17% (38/48)], with a statistical difference (P<0.05). After the treatment, the levels of VEGF and PDGF-C were decreased in the two groups, and were lower in the observation group than in the control group [(245.06±31.38) pg/ml vs. (725.96±42.16) pg/ml and (15.68±0.89) pg/ml vs. (22.45±1.08) pg/ml; both P<0.05]. The incidence of complications was lower in the observation group than in the control group [8.33% (4/48) vs. 31.25% (15/48); P<0.05]. Conclusion Ranibizumab combined with retinal laser photocoagulation for patients with neovascular glaucoma can effectively reduce the levels of VEGF and PDGF-C, and also reduce the incidence of complications, and has significant effect. Key words: Neovascular glaucoma; Ranibizumab; Retinal laser photocoagulation; VEGF; PDGF-C