Risk of Renal Damage Associated with the Use of the Intravitreal AntiVEGF Therapy for the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy

Background: Diabetic macular oedema is the most common cause of blindness among diabetic retinopathy patients. Early recognition and treatment of the patient with diabetic macular oedema help prevent the development of complications and improve the patient’s quality of life. Aim: To assess the treatment of the anti-VEGF among patients with diabetic macular oedema associated with the development of renal damage. Methods: This single-centred retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care centre between May 2022 to May 2024. All the patients with diabetic macular oedema were included in the study. All the patients who received anti-VEGF therapy were grouped in one group, and those who didn’t were taken as controls. And all the renal parameters were evaluated at the baseline and one month after the completion of the therapy. Results: A total of 208 patients with diabetic macular oedema participated in the study. 104 patients who received anti-VEGF therapy were grouped in one group, and those who didn’t receive it were grouped in another group. The study showed a significant increase in the HbA1c values (p<0.001), eGFR (p<0.001), serum creatinine (p<0.001), serum urea (p<0.001) and systemic blood pressure level (p<0.001) between the baseline and after the treatment. Conclusion: The study showed that diabetic patients with diabetic macular oedema could be treated with anti-VEGF treatment. Various parameters such as renal function, blood pressure, and HbA1C should be closely monitored during the treatment.