The real life data of ranibizumab use among the diabetic macular edema patients in Turkey: Documenting the improvement with clinical optimization during three consecutive years()

PURPOSE: To report the 12 month real life outcomes of ranibizumab treated diabetic macular edema (DME) patients. METHODS: Treatment naïve DME patients treated with ranibizumab were included. Patients were divided into three groups according to their hospital admittance years (2013, 2014, and 2015) and were compared in regards to the treatment outcomes. RESULTS: The mean visual acuity change from baseline to month 12 was not statistically significant in 2013 at month 12. The mean BCVA change from baseline to month 12 was statistically better at month 12 in 2014 and 2015. There was a statistically significant difference among the three groups in regards to both mean visit and injection numbers. The mean visit number in 2013 and 2014 were both lower than 2015. The mean injection number in 2013 was lower than both 2014 and 2015. CONCLUSIONS: It is effortful to obey the strict follow-up criteria of prospective studies in DME patients on a PRN regimen. However, optimizing the clinical processes of patient management may lead to improved clinical outcomes in real life.