The value of the retinal blood flow change in evaluating the prognosis of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of the retinal blood flow change in evaluating the prognosis of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration.

MethodsSeventy-two patients with wet age-related macular degeneration(72 eyes) and 72 healthy elderly(72 eyes) were divided into the observation group and control group, respectively.The vitreous chamber in observation group was injected with ranibizumab.The retinal blood flow levels in observation group before and after treatment, which in control group were observed using the ultrasound the physical examination.

ResultsThe diastolic velocity and peak systolic velocity of ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery in observation group after treatment were significantly higher than before treatment(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01), and the difference of which between two groups was not statistically significant(P > 0.05).The differences between the resistance index in observation group before and after treatment, and resistance index in control group were not statistically significant(P > 0.05).The best corrected visual acuity in observation group after treatment was significantly better than before treatment(P < 0.01).The incidence rate of complications during treatment was 6.9%, and the complication was improved after symptomatic treatment.Linear correlation analysis showed that the diastolic velocity, peak systolic velocity of ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery were negatively correlated with the vision of prognosis(P < 0.05).

ConclusionsThe retinal blood flow velocity in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration significantly decreases, the ranibizumab injection can effectively improve the vision and retinal blood flow of patients, and the change of retinal blood flow velocity has an important value on assessing the prognosis of patients in clinic.