Purpose: To determine the effect of pegaptanib sodium on retinal capillary nonperfusion in eyes with diabetic retinopathy.
Study Design: Prospective case series.

Methods: Eight eyes of eight subjects with diabetic retinopathy found to have retinal capillary nonperfusion by widefield fluorescein angiography were included in this study. Study eyes received a series of three injections of pegaptanib sodium at six-week intervals, then as needed for the remainder of the study. Total area of capillary nonperfusion as assessed by widefield fluorescein angiography (Optos P200A, Edinburgh, Scotland) was the primary endpoint.

Results: Average age of subjects was 58.3 ± 15.2 years with an average follow-up length of 58.3 ± 10.9 weeks. The mean number of injections was 4.0 ± 0.5. When injections were scheduled, five eyes (62.5%) demonstrated reperfusion and three eyes (37.5%) showed no change in ischemia. When injections were given as needed, five eyes (62.5%) had an increase in ischemia, two eyes (25%) had a decrease, and one eye (12.5%) had no change. The regions of ischemia in the two eyes showing reversal of capillary ischemia were a particular focus of this case series. During a six-month period without injections in this study, seven eyes (87.5%) showed a net increase in their total area of ischemia, one eye (12.5%) had no change, and no eyes showed a decrease in ischemia.

Conclusion: Intravitreal injection of pegaptanib sodium halted and sometimes reversed capillary nonperfusion in eyes with diabetic retinopathy. 

Diabetic retinopathy, capillary dropout, pegaptanib sodium, retinopathy