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Efficacy and factors associated with reactivation following intravitreal ranibizumab or conbercept for retinopathy of prematurity

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose To compare the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) and conbercept (IVC) treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to evaluate the risk factors associated with disease reactivation. Methods In this retrospective study, the medical records of infants with ROP treated with IVR or IVC from April 2017 to June 2024 at Guangdong Women and Children Hospital were reviewed. The primary outcome measures were reactivation rate, time to reactivation, and factors associated with reactivation. Results A total of 294 infants (565 eyes) were included. The reactivation rate was 10.39% (43 of 414 eyes) in the IVR group and 12.58% (19 of 151 eyes) in the IVC group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( p = 0.46). The mean time to reactivation was similar between the IVR group (8.92 ± 2.01 weeks) and the IVC group (8.78 ± 1.68 weeks) ( p = 0.84). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that a lower postmenstrual age (PMA) at initial treatment ( p = 0.001) and Zone I ROP ( p = 0.008) were significant independent risk factor of reactivation. Gestational age, birth weight, sex, and other systemic comorbidities were not significantly associated with reactivation. Conclusion Ranibizumab and conbercept are effective for treating ROP. A lower PMA at initial treatment and Zone I ROP were identified as significant risk factors for reactivation. Infants with these characteristics require closer and more prolonged follow-up after anti-VEGF therapy.

Source: Frontiers in Medicine

DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1754490