Çakır, AkinErden, BurakBölükbaşı, SelimSever, ÖzkanErkul, Sezin OzdoganOsmanbasoglu, Ozen AyranciElcioğlu, Mustafa Nuri2022-05-112022-05-1120200004-27491678-2925https://doi.org/10.5935/0004-2749.20200078https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11776/8224Purpose: To compare the efficacy of three initial monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections followed by pro re nata (3+PRN) dosing versus five initial monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections followed by pro re nata (5+ PRN) dosing in patients with diabetic macular edema. Methods: A total of 60 treatment-naive patients with macular edema who underwent intravitreal aflibercept injections (2 mg/0.05 mL) with at least one year of follow-up were analyzed in this retrospective and comparative study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the number of intravitreal aflibercept injections administered in the loading phase. The 3+PRN group comprised 27 patients, whereas the 5+PRN group comprised 33 patients. The visual and anatomical outcomes were compared between the two groups at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Results: Both 3+ PRN and 5+ PRN, showed statistically significant improvements in the best-corrected visual acuity and central macular thicknesse throughout the study period (p<0.001 and, p < 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of changes in the best-corrected visual acuity and central macular thickness (p=0.453 and, p=0.784, respectively). The mean number of intravitreal aflibercept injections was significantly greater in the 5+PRN group (6.1 +/- 0.8) than in the 3+PRN group (3.9 +/- 0.8) (p<0.001). Conclusion: The 3+PRN and 5+PRN regimens showed similar 12-month visual and anatomical outcomes following treatment with intravitreal aflibercept injections in patients with macular edema.en10.5935/0004-2749.20200078info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessDiabetic retinopathyMacular edemaIntravitreal injectionsReceptorsvascular endothelial growth factor/administration & dosageEndothelial Growth-FactorVegf Trap-EyeDa VinciRanibizumabSocietyArticle835396401Q4WOS:0005817427000082-s2.0-8509422087233084817Q3