Intravitreal aflibercept (Eylea) injection for cystoid macular edema secondary to retinitis pigmentosa - a first case report and short review of the literature

Giannis-Aimant Moustafa,Marilita M Moschos

doi:10.1186/s12886-015-0033-z

Giannis-Aimant Moustafa, Marilita M Moschos

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-015-0033-z

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Abstract

BackgroundCystoid macular edema (CME) in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) has been managed in several ways as documented in the literature, with little success, though. The aim of our study was to report for the first time in literature the use of aflibercept in a patient with RP and CME.Case presentationA 52-year-old man presented for blurred vision in his right eye. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 3/10 in his right eye and 7/10 in his left eye. Physical examination and appropriate laboratory tests lead to the diagnosis of bilateral RP with CME in the right eye. Retinal thickness in the foveal area of the right eye was 631 μm. The patient was treated with a single intravitreal injection of 0.05 ml/0.5 mg aflibercept. One month later, BCVA of the right eye increased to 4/10, while BCVA of the left eye was unchanged. RT in the right eye decreased to 129 μm. Multifocal electroretinogram response did not improve, yet peaks were better-shaped and no areas of eccentral vision were present. Three and six months after injection, these improvements were maintained.ConclusionThis first-reported case indicates that intravitreal aflibercept injection for addressing CME in RP seems to be an effective treatment.

Highlights

Cystoid macular edema (CME) in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) has been managed in several ways as documented in the literature, with little success, though
This first-reported case indicates that intravitreal aflibercept injection for addressing CME in RP seems to be an effective treatment
Visual acuity in RP patients is mostly deteriorated in the presence of cystoid macular edema (CME), an uncommon complication of the disease occurring in 10-20% of patients [2]

Summary

Introduction

Cystoid macular edema (CME) in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) has been managed in several ways as documented in the literature, with little success, though. Some cohorts show favorable results with oral acetazolamide therapy achieving an increase in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), decrease in vascular leakage as seen with fluorescein angiography and decrease in retinal thickness [4,6,7,8]. Other studies failed to generate similar results [9,10], and in clinical practice, many are the patients who do not respond to this kind of treatment [22,23]. These unstable results in conjunction with the adverse effects of acetazolamide administration are the main reasons for which

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