Comparison of Corneal Endothelial Changes After a Single-Dose Injection of Bevacizumab or Ranibizumab

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the corneal endothelial changes after injection of a single-dose intravitreal bevacizumab or intravitreal ranibizumab. Material and Method: In this retrospective study, we evaluated 27 eyes of 27 patients with either diabetic macular edema or senile macular degeneration, who underwent 1.25 mg/0.05 ml intravitreal bevacizumab or 0.5 mg/0.05 ml ranibizumab injection. None of the patients had corneal pathology. Fourteen eyes of 14 patients received intravitreal ranibizumab, other 13 eyes of 13 patients received intravitreal bevacizumab. We evaluated preoperative and postoperative 1st week and 1st month visual acuity, corneal endothelial count at mm(2), intraocular pressure, and pachymetry results. For statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests were used. Results: Mean age of the patients was 69.3 +/- 12.5 (44-85 year). Average corneal endothelial cell count for bevacizumab and ranibizumab was preoperatively 2358.1 +/- 487 and 2348.9 +/- 598, postoperative 1. week 2360.8 +/- 474.1 and 2398.3 +/- 585.6, postoperative 1. month 2315.1 +/- 465 and 2407.4 +/- 585.6, respectively. Preoperative and postoperative corneal endothelial cell counts were not statistically significantly different in both groups (respectively, 1. week p=0.953 and p=0.59; 1. month p=0.26 and p=0.555). Average central macular thickness for bevacizumab and ranibizumab was preoperatively 527.3 +/- 36.9 and 544.1 +/- 55.5 mu m, postoperative 1. week 529.2 +/- 49.9 and 543.5 +/- 51.8 mu m, postoperative 1. month 530.3 +/- 55 and 543.9 +/- 46.6 mu m, respectively. Preoperative and postoperative central macular thickness values for both groups were not statistically significantly different (respectively, 1. week P=0.515 and P=0.838; 1. month P=0.678 and P=0.444). Discussion: Injection of a single dose of 1.25 mg/0.05 ml bevacizumab or 0.5 mg/0.05 ml ranibizumab does not affect the corneal endothelial cell count at 1. week and 1. month.