Short-Term Outcomes of Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Therapy in Diabetic Macular Edema

Background: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision impairment in adults with diabetes, primarily driven by increased vascular permeability mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy has become the mainstay of treatment, but data on short-term anatomical and functional outcomes remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the early efficacy and safety of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections in DME patients. Materials and Methods: A prospective, hospital-based observational study was conducted on 50 eyes from 50 patients with DME. Inclusion criteria were central macular thickness (CMT) ≥300 µm and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between 20/40 and 20/200. All patients received a single intravitreal anti-VEGF injection and were followed up at 4 weeks. Primary outcome was change in CMT; secondary outcomes included change in BCVA and incidence of adverse events. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 58.4 ± 8.9 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 28:22. Baseline mean CMT was 452 ± 68 µm, which decreased to 378 ± 55 µm at 4 weeks, representing a mean reduction of 74 ± 32 µm (p<0.001). Mean BCVA improved from 0.64 ± 0.18 logMAR to 0.52 ± 0.16 logMAR, corresponding to a gain of 0.12 ± 0.06 logMAR units (p<0.001). Mild adverse events included ocular discomfort (12%) and subconjunctival hemorrhage (8%), with temporary intraocular pressure elevation in 4% of eyes. No serious ocular or systemic complications were observed. Conclusion: A single intravitreal anti-VEGF injection in DME patients produces significant short-term anatomical and functional improvement with a favorable safety profile. These findings support early use of anti-VEGF therapy for rapid reduction of macular edema and early visual gain, while ongoing monitoring is essential for optimizing long-term outcomes.