Visual Outcome of Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Injections at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the 1-year outcome of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy in an eye unit in sub-Saharan Africa. Methodology: This retrospective study included 182 eyes of 172 patients managed in the vitreoretinal unit between 2016 and 2019 who were treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) with at least 1 year of follow-up. The outcome measures were change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over 1 year of follow-up, the number of injections taken, and complications. Results: The mean age was 61.1 ± 16.3 years (male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1) and about 62.1% above >60 years. A total of 330 injections were given during the period audited. The mean number of injections was 1.8 ± 0.93. Ninety-four (51.7%) eyes had only one injection, while 33 (18.1%), 50 (27.5%), and 5 (2.7%) had 2, 3, and 4 injections, respectively. About 78.5% had moderate-to-severe visual impairment at baseline and 44.5%, 16.4%, 12.6%, and 7.1% at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post injections, respectively. The mean BCVA improved for all eyes from 1.67 ± 0.91 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) at baseline to 1.50 ± 1.27 logMAR at 1 year. The logMAR letters gained was 23 at 1 month and 8.25 at 1 year; the eyes that had three injections gained 10 letters, while those that had one injection gained three letters. Eyes with age-related macular degeneration and idiopathic polypoidal choroidopathy gained 7.5 and 9 letters, respectively, at 1 year after at least three injections. There was a statistically significant association between an increasing number of injections and improved visual outcome (P = 0.043). One patient each developed endophthalmitis (0.6%) and inferior retinal detachment (0.6%) post injection. Conclusion: Visual acuity gain was recorded in patients who had intravitreal anti-VEGF injections in 1 year. It is recommended that patients should have more than one injection.

RésuméObjectif: Le but de l'étude était d'évaluer le résultat à 1 an d'un traitement intravitréen anti-facteur de croissance endothélial vasculaire (anti VEGF) dans une unité ophtalmologique en Afrique subsaharienne. Méthodologie: Cette étude rétrospective a inclus 182 yeux de 172 patients pris en charge dans l'unité vitréorétinienne entre 2016 et 2019 qui ont été traités par bevacizumab anti-VEGF intravitréen (1,25 mg/0,05 ml) avec au moins 1 an de suivi. Les mesures des résultats étaient le changement de la meilleure acuité visuelle corrigée (MAVC) sur 1 an de suivi, le nombre d'injections effectuées et les complications. Résultats: L'âge moyen était de 61,1 ± 16,3 ans (ratio homme/femme de 1:1,1) et d'environ 62,1 % au-dessus de > 60 ans. Au total, 330 injections ont été effectuées au cours de la période auditée. Le nombre moyen d'injections était de 1,8 ± 0,93. Quatre-vingt quatorze yeux (51,7 %) n'ont eu qu'une seule injection, tandis que 33 (18,1 %), 50 (27,5 %) et 5 (2,7 %) ont eu 2, 3 et 4 injections, respectivement. Environ 78,5% avaient une déficience visuelle modérée à sévère au départ et 44,5%, 16,4%, 12,6% et 7,1% à 1, 3, 6 et 12 mois après les injections, respectivement. La MAVC moyenne s'est améliorée pour tous les yeux, passant de 1,67 ± 0,91 logarithme de l'angle minimal de résolution (logMAR) au départ à 1,50 ± 1,27 logMAR à 1 an. Les lettres logMAR acquises étaient de 23 à 1 mois et de 8,25 à 1 an ; les yeux qui ont eu trois injections ont gagné 10 lettres, tandis que ceux qui ont eu une injection ont gagné trois lettres. Les yeux atteints de dégénérescence maculaire liée à l'âge et de choroïdopathie polypoïdale idiopathique ont gagné 7,5 et 9 lettres, respectivement, à 1 an après au moins trois injections. Il y avait une association statistiquement significative entre un nombre croissant d'injections et une amélioration des résultats visuels (P = 0,043). Un patient a développé une endophtalmie (0,6 %) et un décollement de la rétine inférieure (0,6 %) après l'injection. Conclusion: Un gain d'acuité visuelle a été enregistré chez les patients ayant eu des injections intravitréennes d'anti VEGF en 1 an. Il est recommandé que les patients aient plus d'une injection. Mots-clés: Anti facteur de croissance endothélial vasculaire, bevacizumab (Avastin), injections intravitréennes, ranibizumab (Lucentis), rétine, résultat visuel Dernière modification.

Strengthening retinopathy of prematurity screening and treatment services in Nigeria: a case study of activities, challenges and outcomes 2017-2020.

OBJECTIVES: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) will become a major cause of blindness in Nigerian children unless screening and treatment services expand. This article aims to describe the collaborative activities undertaken to improve services for ROP between 2017 and 2020 as well as the outcome of these activities in Nigeria. DESIGN: Descriptive case study. SETTING: Neonatal intensive care units in Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: Staff providing services for ROP, and 723 preterm infants screened for ROP who fulfilled screening criteria (gestational age <34 weeks or birth weight ≤2000 g, or sickness criteria). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A WhatsApp group was initiated for Nigerian ophthalmologists and neonatologists in 2018. Members participated in a range of capacity-building, national and international collaborative activities between 2017 and 2018. A national protocol for ROP was developed for Nigeria and adopted in 2018; 1 year screening outcome data were collected and analysed. In 2019, an esurvey was used to collect service data from WhatsApp group members for 2017-2018 and to assess challenges in service provision. RESULTS: In 2017 only six of the 84 public neonatal units in Nigeria provided ROP services; this number had increased to 20 by 2018. Of the 723 babies screened in 10 units over a year, 127 (17.6%) developed any ROP; and 29 (22.8%) developed type 1 ROP. Only 13 (44.8%) babies were treated, most by intravitreal bevacizumab. The screening criteria were revised in 2020. Challenges included lack of equipment to regulate oxygen and to document and treat ROP, and lack of data systems. CONCLUSION: ROP screening coverage and quality improved after national and international collaborative efforts. To scale up and improve services, equipment for neonatal care and ROP treatment is urgently needed, as well as systems to monitor data. Ongoing advocacy is also essential.