EFFICACY OF INTRAVITREAL ANTI-VEGF THERAPY IN DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF AFLIBERCEPT, BEVACIZUMAB, AND RANIBIZUMAB

Dr. Bansi N. Wade* and Dr. Shifa Waghu

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of Intravitreal Aflibercept, Bevacizumab, and Ranibizumab in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial involving 180 eyes from 150 patients with center-involving DME. Participants were randomized into three groups (60 eyes per group) and received monthly intravitreal injections of Aflibercept (2.0 mg), Bevacizumab (1.25 mg), or Ranibizumab (0.5 mg) for six months. The primary outcome measure was change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Secondary outcomes included central retinal thickness (CRT) on OCT and safety profile. Results: At 6 months, mean BCVA improved by +12.1 letters with Aflibercept, +9.3 letters with Ranibizumab, and +7.5 letters with Bevacizumab (p < 0.01). CRT reduction was greatest in the Aflibercept group (−130 μm), followed by Ranibizumab (−110 μm) and Bevacizumab (−95 μm) (p = 0.02). No significant systemic adverse events were observed. Conclusion: Aflibercept demonstrated superior visual and anatomical outcomes compared to Ranibizumab and Bevacizumab in patients with DME over six months. All three agents were well tolerated.

Keywords: Anti-vegf, Diabetic macular edema, Aflibercept, Ranibizumab, Bevacizumab.