Cost-effectiveness analysis of ranibizumab versus verteporfin photodynamic therapy, pegaptanib sodium, and best supportive care for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration in Greece.

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive disease that results in loss of central vision, significant functional impairment, and a subsequent heavy socioeconomic burden. AMD treatments delay disease progression, improve patient outcomes, and reduce resource use associated with visual impairment, however, in a varying way concerning costs and effects.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cost effectiveness of ranibizumab compared with verteporfin photodynamic therapy, pegaptanib sodium, and best supportive care for the treatment of AMD in Greece.

Ranibizumab for diabetic macular edema difficult to treat with focal/grid laser.

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal injections of ranibizumab in patients with diabetic clinically significant macular edema (CSME), when further focal or grid laser was considered to be unsafe.

Methods: In this retrospective, interventional case study, intravitreal injections of ranibizumab were performed in 16 eyes (ten patients) suffering from diabetic retinopathy with CSME. All patients had been treated in the past with focal or grid laser.