Scientific programm: Abstract

6th scientific session: Diabetes / Vein Occlusion

49. Effects of Intravitreal Erythropoietin Therapy
      for Eyes with Chronic and Progressive Diabetic
      Macular Edema

Stephen H. Sinclair¹, Weiye Li^1,2,3, Guo-Tong Xu²
(¹Philadelphia; ²Shanghai; ³Beijing)

Abstract: Patients and Methods: To determine the effects of intravitreal injections of erythropoietin in eyes with severe, chronic diffuse diabetic macular edema, a phase 1 study was performed of five eyes of 5 patients in which injections of rHuEPO alpha (epoetin, EPO) were administered. Prior to treatment all eyes had demonstrated progressive vision loss and persistent or worsening edema in spite of multi-modal treatment.  EPO (5U /50 μL) was injected intravitreally every 6 weeks for three doses, and the eyes were followed for an additional 6 weeks with complete ocular examinations including ETDRS acuity, fluorescein angiography (FA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and central field acuity perimetry (CFAP).
Results: All eyes demonstrated improved vision with 3 of the 5 eyes achieving >3 lines in ETDRS acuity or global macular acuity on CFAP with less improvement in the other two eyes. Although some anatomic improvement was observed in all eyes on OCT, central acuity and field acuity scores improved earlier and to a larger extent. Clearing of lipid exudates was observed but no improvement in leakage on FA. Improvement in vision occurred within 2 weeks after the first injection and was maintained for the duration of follow-up.
Conclusion: Intravitreal injection of EPO may offer a new therapy for eyes with diffuse diabetic macular edema.

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