One-year outcome of two different initial dosing regimens of intravitreal ranibizumab for myopic choroidal neovascularization

Systemic Oxidative Stress Level as a Pathological and Prognostic Factor in Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization

Purpose

To investigate the association of systemic oxidative stress level with myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) and its clinical outcomes.

Design

Retrospective case-control study.

Participants

This retrospective study included 52 eyes of 52 healthy participants (mean age: 62.5 years), 30 eyes of 30 patients (mean age: 59.6 years) with high myopia (HM) but without mCNV, and 23 eyes of 23 patients (mean age: 61.8 years) with HM and mCNV who received intravitreal anti-VEGF antibody injections (IVIs) using a pro re nata regimen during the 6-month follow-up after the first IVI.

Methods

Clinical findings, including oxidative stress parameters, such as diacron reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), and the BAP/dROM ratio (B/d ratio), were analyzed.

Main Outcome Measures

Clinical features and oxidative stress parameters.

Results

Both BAP and the B/d ratio were significantly lower in the HM/mCNV group than in the HM/no mCNV group (P = 0.002 and P = 0.012, respectively) and than in the control group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.026, respectively). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, axial length (odds ratio 1.878, P = 0.042) and the B/d ratio (odds ratio 0.470, P = 0.026) were significantly associated with mCNV. Dividing the patients into high and low B/d ratio groups (with a cutoff of 5.2) showed that subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was lower (P = 0.002) and the number of IVI treatments was higher (P = 0.029) in the low B/d ratio group than in the high B/d ratio group. In multiple regression analyses, only the B/d ratio was significantly associated with SFCT (β = 0.684, P = 0.006).

Conclusions

The oxidative stress level in eyes with HM differed according to mCNV, SFCT, and the number of IVI treatments. Measuring oxidative stress parameters might be useful in eyes with HM both for assessing the risk of developing mCNV and determining disease activity.

Financial Disclosures

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Safety and efficacy of intravitreal injection of conbercept for the treatment of patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathological myopia: Results from the SHINY study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg conbercept in patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathological myopia (pmCNV).

METHODS

The 177 pmCNV patients were randomly assigned in a 3:1 ratio to receive conbercept or sham injection, respectively. The conbercept group receive conbercept intravitreal injections administered on a pro re nata (PRN) basis after 3 monthly loading doses. The sham group received three consecutive monthly sham injections and then one conbercept injection followed by PRN conbercept intravitreal injections.

RESULTS

At month 3, the mean BCVA for the two groups were improved by 12.0 letters (conbercept group, from 54.05 letters to 66.05 letters) and 0.6 letters (sham group, from 49.77 letters to 50.33 letters), respectively (p < 0.001). The mean central retinal thickness (CRT) at month 3 in the two groups decreased 62.0 μm (conbercept group, from 348.90 μm to 286.18 μm) and 4.4 μm (sham group, from 347.86 μm to 343.47 μm) (p < 0.001). At month 9, the mean BCVA improved by 13.3 letters in the conbercept group and 11.3 letters in the sham group. The mean CRT decreased 73.6 μm in the conbercept group and 55.9 μm in the sham group (p < 0.001). The most common ocular adverse events were associated with intravitreal injections, such as conjunctival haemorrhage and increased intraocular pressure.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg conbercept provided improvement in visual and anatomical outcomes in pmCNV patients with low rates of ocular and nonocular safety events.

Efficacy and safety of different conbercept injection regimens in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization in pathological myopia: a retrospective study

PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical efficacy of conbercept 1 + pro re nata (PRN) (i.e., reinjection as needed after one injection) and 3 + PRN (reinjection as needed after 3 months of injection) regimens in choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathological myopia (PM-CNV).

METHODS

From 06/2019 to 06/2020, 65 patients (65 eyes) confirmed with PM-CNV were included in this retrospective study. Intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg conbercept was conducted either with the 1 + PRN or 3 + PRN strategy. Patients were followed up for 12 months. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), CNV lesion leakage area, the number of injections, and postoperative adverse reactions were observed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 42.10 ± 4.69 years, and the average diopter was - 11.26 ± 2.97D. The BCVA at month 3 in the 3 + PRN (n = 30) group was lower than in the 1 + PRN (n = 35) group (P < 0.001). The CRT at month 3 in the 3 + PRN group was lower than in the 1 + PRN group (P < 0.001). After 12 months, there were no differences in the BCVA and CRT between the two groups (P > 0.05). The number of injections was less in 1 + PRN than in 3 + PRN (2.14 ± 1.06 vs. 3.37 ± 0.76, P < 0.001) at 12 months. No serious treatment-related ocular complications or serious systemic adverse events were found.

CONCLUSION

The 1 + PRN and 3 + PRN strategies of intravitreal injection of conbercept are effective in treating PM-CNV. The 1 + PRN regimen required fewer injections, and it might be more suitable for the treatment of PM-CNV.

Clinical outcomes of different regimens of intravitreal Conbercept for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathological myopia

PURPOSE

To assess the clinical outcomes of two intravitreal injection regimens of Conbercept used to treat choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathological myopia (PM-CNV).

METHODS

A total of 72 eyes of 72 patients were treated: 39 eyes received a single injection followed by treatment pro re nata (1 + PRN); 33 eyes first received 3 consecutive monthly injections (3 + PRN) then followed by PRN. After initial injection, patients were followed up for 12 months.

RESULTS

The mean age of 72 patients was 45.3 ± 5.1 years, with the mean diopter of -10.62 ± 3.24D. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.86 ± 0.23 LogMAR with 1 + PRN and 0.90 ± 0.19 LogMAR with 3 + PRN at baseline (P = 0.422), 0.36 ± 0.07 and 0.33 ± 0.05 LogMAR at month 3 (P = 0.026); and 0.33 ± 0.03 and 0.32 ± 0.02 LogMAR at month 12 (P = 0.096). The central retinal thickness (CRT) was 333.5 ± 22.7 μm with 1 + PRN and 341.2 ± 20.9 μm with 3 + PRN at baseline (P = 0.139), 281.53 ± 10.28 and 273.15 ± 13.24 μm at month 3 (P = 0.004); 266.83 ± 8.14 and 264.91 ± 9.27 μm at month 12 (P = 0.350). The number of injections in the 1 + PRN group was significantly lower than that observed in the 3 + PRN group (2.15 ± 1.06 versus 3.36 ± 0.74; P < 0.001). During the follow-up, no serious ocular complications and adverse reactions related to Conbercept and injections occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Both injection regimens resulted in similar visual outcomes in PM-CNV patients. The 1 + PRN regimen had fewer injections and might be more suitable in this patient population.

ASSESSMENT AND ROLE OF ARTERY-VEIN COMPLEX IN MYOPIC CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION USING OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY

PURPOSE

To analyze the presence of an artery-vein complex (AVC) underneath myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) and to determine its relationship with neovascular activity.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 681 eyes from 362 patients with high myopia defined by an axial length of >26 mm using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography imaging. Patients with clinical diagnosis of mCNV and good quality OCT angiography images were then selected. An AVC was defined by the identification of both perforating scleral vessels and dilated choroidal veins under or in contact with the mCNV in the same case. Swept source OCT (SS-OCT) and SS-OCT angiography images (TRITON; Topcon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) were reviewed to detect AVC in the mCNV area.

RESULTS

Fifty eyes of 49 highly myopic patients with mCNV were analyzed. Eyes with AVC were statistically older (69.95 ± 13.53 vs. 60.83 ± 10.47 years old; P < 0.01), needed less intravitreal injections/year along the follow-up period (0.80 ± 0.62 vs. 1.92 ± 0.17; P < 0.01), and showed less relapses/year (0.58 ± 0.75 vs. 0.46 ± 0.42; P < 0.05) when compared with eyes without AVC. Moreover, eyes with AVC were less likely to relapse during the first year from mCNV activation (n = 5/14 vs. n = 14/16; P < 0.01; P < 0.01). No significant differences were found regarding either axial length (30.55 ± 2.31 vs. 29.65 ± 2.24, P > 0.05) or best-corrected visual acuity (0.4 ± 0.5 vs. 0.4 ± 0.5 Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (logMAR), P > 0.05) between groups.

CONCLUSION

AVC complex has an influence over myopic choroidal neovascularization activity resulting in less aggressive neovascular lesions than those with perforating scleral vessels only.

High‑dose aflibercept injection has striking effects on myopic choroidal neovascularization

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the 1-year outcomes of a high-dose aflibercept injection [4 mg 2+ pro re nata (PRN) scheme] for individuals with myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) through optical coherence tomography (OCT) follow-ups. A total of 16 consecutive patients (7 males and 9 females; sixteen eyes) with mCNV were enrolled in this retrospective study. The mean age was 30.5±3.35 years and mean spherical equivalent was -7.31±0.90 D. Subjects received 4 mg aflibercept intravitreal injection on the day of diagnosis and 35 days later. Further injections of aflibercept were required when the following were detected by OCT and fluorescein angiography: i) Decrease in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA); ii) aggravation of metamorphopsia; iii) macular oedema; iv) macular haemorrhage; v) increase in retinal thickness; and vi) leakage. Ophthalmic examination and OCT were performed at the baseline, as well as at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months after the initial aflibercept injection. BCVA and central retinal thickness (CRT) were evaluated at each follow-up. The results showed that the vision of all subjects improved following the aflibercept intravitreal injection. The mean BCVA improved from 0.35±0.15 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) at the baseline to 0.12±0.05 logMAR at final follow-up (P<0.05). A reduction in metamorphopsia was observed and the mean CRT was reduced from 345.38±34.69 µm of pre-treatment levels to 222.75±8.98 µm at the last postoperative visit (P<0.05). The mean number of injections in the present study was 2.13±0.5. Out of all patients, 13 received two injections and 3 subjects received three injections. The mean follow-up was 13.41±1.17 months. Based on the outcomes, it was found that an intravitreal injection of high-dose aflibercept (4 mg 2+PRN scheme) is effective for vision improvement and stabilization. In addition, it also significantly alleviated metamorphopsia and reduced the CRT in patients treated with mCNV. During the follow-up, the eyesight of the patients was stable.

Anti-VEGF Therapy in Myopic CNV

In this narrative-review, we report the most recent data from the literature of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV). Myopic CNV is the most frequent sight-threatening complication of pathologic myopia. The natural course of mCNV can result in expanding macular atrophy and /or fibrosis, leading to irreversible visual loss after 5 years. Retinal multimodal imaging is mandatory for early diagnosis and monitoring of the disease during treatment. Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy is recommended as the first-line treatment option for mCNV. Prompt treatment of active mCNV with intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy has been demonstrated to be effective in terms of visual outcome improvements reducing the occurrence of late-stage complications.

Intravitreal conbercept for choroidal neovascularisation secondary to pathological myopia in a real-world setting in China : Intravitreal conbercept was safe and effective in treating myopic choroidal neovascularization

Background

To evaluate the 12-month efficacy and safety of intravitreal conbercept for myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Methods

A retrospective, observational study. Thirty-four eyes of 34 pathologic myopic patients with CNV were treated with intravitreal conbercept (IVC) 0.5 mg with a follow up of 12 months. After the first injection, administration of conbercept followed a pro re nata (PRN) regimen. Outcomes included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), CNV size, the total number of treatments, and adverse events.

Results

The mean patient age was 55.88 ± 16.17 years, and the mean eye spherical equivalent was − 8.72 ± 3.75 D. The mean number of IVC over 12 months was 2.12 ± 0.69. Overall, best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)improved from 0.86 ± 0.33 logMAR at baseline to 0.44 ± 0.32 logMAR at month 12 (p < 0.001), mean improvement of vision was 4.12 ± 2.69 lines. Mean central retinal thickness reduced from 285.9 ± 104.6 µm at baseline to 192.1 ± 97.5 µm at month 12 (p < 0.001). Mean CNV size decreased from 0.52 ± 0.38 mm² at baseline to 0.31 ± 0.19 mm² at 12 months (p < 0.05). All the 34 eyes had reduced or stable size of CNV. Thirty-two eyes (94.12 %) showed the absence of CNV leakage at the end of the study period. No severe systemic or ocular adverse events were observed.

Conclusions

Intravitreal conbercept 0.5 mg was safe and effective for treatment of myopic CNV over 12 months in a real-world setting.

RANIBIZUMAB VERSUS VERTEPORFIN PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY IN ASIAN PATIENTS WITH MYOPIC CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION: BRILLIANCE, a 12-Month, Randomized, Double-Masked Study

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.

Ranibizumab 0.5 mg administered over 12 months was efficacious and well-tolerated in Asian patients with visual impairment due to myopic choroidal neovascularization. Ranibizumab treatment guided by visual acuity stabilization or disease activity criteria resulted in statistically superior efficacy compared with verteporfin photodynamic therapy.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 2 dosing regimens of ranibizumab 0.5 mg versus verteporfin photodynamic therapy in Asian patients with visual impairment due to myopic choroidal neovascularization.

Long-term outcomes of the intravitreal injection of ranibizumab for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia

PURPOSE

To analyze the long-term outcomes and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab injections in myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

METHODS

A retrospective non-randomized analysis of consecutive cases included 17 eyes from 17 patients with subfoveal myopic CNV, treated with intravitreal ranibizumab with at least 30-month follow-up. The patients received three injections monthly, followed by pro re nata regimen. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography were carried out at the baseline and at monthly intervals thereafter.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up period was 51 months (range 30-98 months). In 12 patients (70.6%), BCVA improved by at least 1 Snellen line, with at least 3-line improvement observed in the case of 8 eyes (47%). Mean central foveal thickness (CFT) decreased from 384.65 ± 103.3 µm at the baseline to 264 ± 86.2 µm at the last follow-up examination (p < 0.001). The final OCT examination revealed 59% (10/17) eyes with CNV-related macular atrophy. Mean number of injections over the follow-up period was 4.82 ± 2.04 per person. Nine patients (53%) required re-injection of the anti-VEGF agent; the mean number of re-injections in this group was 3.44 ± 1.34 per person (range 2-6). No significant adverse events were recorded during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravitreal ranibizumab is an effective and safe treatment for CNV secondary to pathologic myopia, contributing to long-term vision improvement and CFT reduction.

LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF RANIBIZUMAB TREATMENT OF MYOPIC CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION IN EAST-ASIAN PATIENTS FROM THE RADIANCE STUDY

A retrospective cohort study of East-Asian patients previously treated with ranibizumab for myopic choroidal neovascularization in the RADIANCE trial. Clinical charts were reviewed to assess long-term efficacy and safety. Visual acuity was sustained for additional 36 months after trial completion with few patients requiring additional treatment and no new safety concerns observed.

Purpose:

To evaluate long-term efficacy and safety of ranibizumab for treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) in clinical practice.

Methods:

Noninterventional, retrospective cohort study of East-Asian patients previously treated with ranibizumab during the RADIANCE trial. Forty-one patients who completed the RADIANCE trial were followed-up for up to 48 months (post-RADIANCE observation period). Outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity changes from baseline (assessed at RADIANCE trial initiation), mCNV recurrences, and ocular adverse events.

Results:

Mean visual gain from baseline best-corrected visual acuity (56.5 ± 12.1 letters) (20/80) was significant at 12 months (+14.3 ± 11.4 letters, n = 40, P < 0.0001), 24 months (+10.4 ± 22.3 letters, n = 31, P = 0.0143), 30 months (+11.0 ± 22.4 letters, n = 29, P = 0.0134), 42 months (+12.9 ± 20.9 letters, n = 25, P = 0.0051), and 48 months (+16.3 ± 18.7, n = 16, P = 0.0034). Of the 16 patients who completed 48 months of follow-up, 63% gained ≥10 letters and 13% lost ≥10 letters. Over the post-RADIANCE observation period, 83% of patients required no further treatment for mCNV, 10% experienced mCNV recurrences, and 12% experienced a nonserious ocular adverse event. Patients who required additional treatment for mCNV received a mean of 5.0 (SD 5.9, range 1.0–18.0) ranibizumab injections.

Conclusion:

Best-corrected visual acuity gained at the end of the RADIANCE trial was sustained over additional 36 months of follow-up. Few patients required further treatment and no new safety concerns were observed.

Myopic maculopathy: Current status and proposal for a new classification and grading system (ATN)

Myopia is a highly frequent ocular disorder worldwide and pathologic myopia is the 4th most common cause of irreversible blindness in developed countries. Pathologic myopia is especially common in East Asian countries. Ocular alterations associated with pathologic myopia, especially those involving the macular area-defined as myopic maculopathy-are the leading causes of vision loss in patients with pathologic myopia. High myopia is defined as the presence of a highly negative refractive error (>-6 to -8 diopters) in the context of eye elongation (26-26.5 mm). Although the terms high myopia and pathologic myopia are often used interchangeably, they do not refer to the same eye disease. The two key factors driving the development of pathologic myopia are: 1) elongation of the axial length and 2) posterior staphyloma. The presence of posterior staphyloma, which is the most common finding in patients with pathologic myopia, is the key differentiating factor between high and pathologic myopia. The occurrence of staphyloma will, in most cases, eventually lead to other conditions such as atrophic, traction, or neovascular maculopathy. Posterior staphyloma is for instance, responsible for the differences between a myopic macular hole (MH)-with and without retinal detachment-and idiopathic MH. Posterior staphyloma typically induces retinal layer splitting, leading to foveoschisis in myopic MH, an important differentiating factor between myopic and emmetropic MH. Myopic maculopathy is a highly complex disease and current classification systems do not fully account for the numerous changes that occur in the macula of these patients. Therefore, a more comprehensive classification system is needed, for several important reasons. First, to more precisely define the disease stage to improve follow-up by enabling clinicians to more accurately monitor changes over time, which is essential given the progressive nature of this condition. Second, unification of the currently-available classification systems would establish standardized classification criteria that could be used to compare the findings from international multicentric studies. Finally, a more comprehensive classification system could help to improve our understanding of the genetic origins of this disease, which is clearly relevant given the interchangeable-but erroneous-use of the terms high and pathologic myopia in genetic research.

Real-world data on ranibizumab for myopic choroidal neovascularization due to pathologic myopia: results from a post-marketing surveillance in Japan

Objectives

The aim of this study was to obtain real-world clinical data on the safety and efficacy of ranibizumab treatment for myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to pathologic myopia.

Methods

This was a prospective, observational, post-marketing surveillance study in ranibizumab-naive Japanese patients with myopic CNV. Patients who initiated ranibizumab treatment were registered and prospectively observed over 12 months. Safety endpoints were the incidence of ocular and non-ocular adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). The efficacy endpoint included the average change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) units (logMAR BCVA) from baseline to the last observation.

Results

Three hundred and eighteen patients were included in the safety analysis population. Of these 79.9% were female and the mean age was 65.5 years. The incidences of SAEs and ADRs were 0.6 and 0.3%, respectively. A total of 268 patients (84.0%) completed the 12-month study period. The mean (±SD) and median number of ranibizumab injections were 2.0 ± 1.5 and 1.0 during the 12-month study period, respectively. The number of ranibizumab injections received was one in 52.2% of patients and less than or equal to three in 89.2%. The mean change in logMAR BCVA from baseline to month 12 was −0.193, and the mean logMAR BCVA improved from 0.517 to 0.319 between baseline and month 12.

Conclusions

This study showed that ranibizumab is generally well tolerated, and that a minimum number of injections were necessary to produce a therapeutic effect in Japanese myopic CNV patients in a real-world setting.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for the treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization

Myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a sight-threatening condition which occurs in eyes with myopia, particularly in those with pathologic myopia. It is the most common cause of CNV among patients younger than 50 years. Hemorrhage and exudation from the CNV lesion may eventually result in scarring or chorioretinal atrophy. While myopic CNV was previously treated with focal laser photocoagulation or photodynamic therapy (PDT), the current treatment of choice is anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents. Many studies have demonstrated the efficacy of intravitreal anti-VEGF agents in the treatment of myopic CNV. The RADIANCE study reported that intravitreal ranibizumab was superior to PDT in eyes with myopic CNV (at 3 months, both groups receiving intravitreal ranibizumab gained 10.5 and 10.6 letters vs 2.2 letters among patients receiving PDT). In addition, the study demonstrated similar visual outcomes in eyes treated on the basis of visual acuity stabilization or disease activity criteria. Other clinical studies have provided evidence for the efficacy of ranibizumab and aflibercept in the treatment of myopic CNV. This review addresses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and imaging characteristics of myopic CNV, and discusses the evidence for the efficacy of anti-VEGF agents as compared to laser photocoagulation and PDT.

Management of Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization: Focus on Anti-VEGF Therapy

Myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) is the second most common form of CNV after age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is a sight-threatening complication of pathologic myopia (PM) and often affects patients in their working years causing significant impact on quality of life. Previous therapies such as photodynamic therapy with verteporfin have shown limited success. Due to the similarities in pathogenesis of mCNV and AMD CNV, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy (anti-VEGF), which has so far been the mainstay of treatment for AMD CNV, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of mCNV and has become the first-line treatment of choice. This article aims to examine briefly the epidemiology and pathophysiology of mCNV, as well as review the evidence for efficacy, safety, and clinical use of anti-VEGF treatment for mCNV.

Vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor use and treatment approach for choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia

INTRODUCTION

Myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the most common cause of CNV in those under 50 years of age. It is a significant cause of visual loss in those with pathologic myopia. The current standard of care involves therapy with intravitreal inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

AREAS COVERED

The epidemiology of myopia, high myopia, pathologic myopia, and myopic CNV is reviewed, along with a brief discussion of historical treatments. The pharmacology of the three most commonly used anti-VEGF agents is discussed, with an emphasis on the licensed drugs, ranibizumab and aflibercept. A comprehensive clinical approach to diagnosis and treatment of myopic CNV is presented.

EXPERT OPINION

The current standard of care for myopic CNV is intravitreal inhibition of VEGF, with ranibizumab and aflibercept licensed for intraocular use. The diagnosis, OCT features of disease activity and retreatment algorithm for myopic CNV is different from wet age-related macular degeneration. In the long-term, myopic CNV may be associated with gradual, irreversible visual loss due to progressive chorioretinal atrophy, for which there is currently no treatment.

The role of anti-VEGF agents in myopic choroidal neovascularization: Current standards and future outlook

INTRODUCTION

The global prevalence of pathologic myopia is 0.9-3.1%, and visual impairment is found in 0.1-0.5% of European and 0.2-1.4% of Asian studies. Myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) affects 5.2-11.3% of pathologic myopia patients and is a leading cause of vision impairment in the working-age population. Characteristic morphological changes and visual-acuity decrease are diagnostic features. Vascular-Endothelial-Growth-Factor (VEGF) has been identified as a trigger for pathologic neovascularization in these highly myopic patients.

AREAS COVERED

We cover the epidemiology, pathology and diagnostic aspects of mCNV. The history of therapeutic interventions is described, followed by an overview of current standard-of-care (SOC)-blocking VEGF using bevacizumab (off-label), ranibizumab or aflibercept and improving vision up to 13.5-14.4 letters. Despite good efficacy, an unmet medical need remains. We summarize ongoing and future developments of new drugs to treat or potentially cure mCNV.

EXPERT OPINION

mCNV is a major global health concern. Early detection and treatment is key for a satisfying outcome. The current SOC, VEGF inhibitors, affords good therapeutic efficacy and reasonable disease stabilization with few intravitreal treatments per year. However, the long-term prognosis is still unsatisfactory, and side-effects like chorioretinal atrophy development are of concern. Therefore, efforts should be intensified to develop more effective therapies.