Topographical Response of Retinal Neovascularization to Aflibercept or Panretinal Photocoagulation in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Key Points Question What is the topographic distribution of retinal neovascularization in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and is there an association between response to treatment and the retinal location of the neovascularization? Findings In this post hoc unmasked analysis of the Clinical Efficacy and Mechanistic Evaluation of Aflibercept for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (CLARITY) randomized clinical trial, treatment-naive retinal neovascularization elsewhere (NVE) had a predilection for the nasal quadrant. By 52 weeks, the aflibercept group was more likely to have regression of NVE; neither treatment was likely to be associated with complete regression of disc neovascularization (NVD). Meaning This study further elaborates on the outcomes of the CLARITY trial in that, anatomically, despite the superior outcomes among patients within NVE who received aflibercept, regression was seen more in NVE than in NVD.