The effect of intravitreal ranibizumab on optic nerve by pattern VEP test evaluation

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab, an anti-VEGF agent commonly used for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization, on optic nerve by pattern VEP test. Material and Method: Pattern VEP test was applied to 20 eyes of 20 patients who received 0.5 mg of ranibizumab injection because of age related choroidal neovascularization maculopathy and also to other non-injected eyes of the same patients in 1st and 6th weeks. Results are compared with 10 control patients of same age distribution. Results: Mean age was 73.45 in 20 age related maculopathy patients ranging between 64 and 82. Mean best corrected visual acuity of eyes receiving injection was 9/100 before injection and 14/100 finally on 6th week. Mean intraocular pressure was 13.85mmHg in eyes receiving before the injection, 16.75mmHg at 1st week and finally 14mmHg at 6th week. There was no statistically significant difference between the VEP wavelengths and latencies of the patient group and the control group (p> 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between VEP wavelengths and latencies in 1st and 6th weeks between injection receiving eyes and the other eyes (p> 0.05). Conclusion: As a result of VEP evaluation it is concluded that 0.5 mg intravitreal ranibizumab injection does not have an indirect toxic effect to the optic nerve.