A systematic review of as needed versus treat and extend ranibizumab or bevacizumab treatment regimens for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Two-year Outcomes of Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection for Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration with "Observe before Treat-and-Extend" Method

PURPOSE

To evaluate 2-year outcomes of intravitreal aflibercept injection for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with "observe before treat-and-extend (O-TAE)" strategy in the real-world setting.

METHODS

This retrospective study included treatment-naive nAMD patients treated with aflibercept using O-TAE regimen and followed up for more than 2 years. Patients were observed bimonthly to check recurrence after three monthly loading injections. In case of recurrence, treatment was resumed using the TAE regimen starting from the fourth injection. In case of nonrecurrence, observation was continued. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), number of injections, TAE intervals, and proportion of recurrence after dry-up following three loadings were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 38 eyes of 34 patients were included. Follow-up period was 37.0 ± 11.0 months. BCVA by logarithm of minimal angle of resolution improved from 0.33 ± 0.29 at baseline to 0.24 ± 0.23 in the first year (p = 0.010) and 0.25 ± 0.22 in the second year (p = 0.054). CMT decreased significantly from 357.43 ± 74.53 μm at baseline to 269.62 ± 48.12 μm in the first year (p < 0.001) and 279.14 ± 54.64 μm in the second year (p < 0.001). Number of injections were 5.11 ± 1.69 in the first year and 3.84 ± 2.39 in the second year. The percentage of eyes with a TAE interval of ≥12 weeks was 37.0% in the first year and 34.4% in the second year. Of the 36 eyes that dried up after three loadings, 28 eyes (77.8%) recurred, and the average period of recurrence was 6.5 months. The remaining eight eyes (22.2%) had no recurrence during the mean follow-up period of 29.7 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that the newly suggested O-TAE strategy can reduce the treatment burden significantly reducing the number of injections while improving BCVA and CMT in the first and second year.

Recent Updates on the Diagnosis and Management of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the Western world, with a higher prevalence among Europeans and North Americans than that in Africans, Hispanics, and Asians. Advanced AMD is categorized as atrophic (dry) or exudative (wet/neovascular age-related macular degeneration [nAMD]). Dry AMD is characterized by progressive geographic atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal layers, whereas nAMD is characterized by new vessels that invade the subretinal and/or subretinal pigment epithelium spaces. Existing treatments delay the onset of advanced AMD and reverses vision loss for a couple of years before atrophy usually decreases central visual acuity. We searched PubMed and Medline databases from January 1, 1980, to December 1, 2023, using the following search terms: macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, geographic atrophy, drusen, age-related maculopathy, AMD, ARMD, and anti-VEGF. Relevant articles in English (or English translations) were retrieved and reviewed. Bibliographies of the identified manuscripts were also reviewed to identify relevant studies. Age-related macular degeneration most commonly affects people older than 55 years. Visual prognosis varies, with advanced lesions (nAMD and geographic atrophy) leading to rapid, progressive loss of central vision and contrast sensitivity. Although AMD is not a life-threatening disease, reduced vision profoundly compromises quality of life and necessitates living assistance for many patients. Over the past 2 decades, advances in prevention (vitamin supplementation) and therapy (antivascular endothelial growth factor and complement inhibitor drugs) have reduced vision loss and blindness. Further research is needed to decrease the incidence of blindness in patients with advanced disease.

Three-month outcomes of treatment with faricimab or aflibercept for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a propensity score matching study in a Japanese population

PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who initially received faricimab or aflibercept treatment using propensity score matching (PSM) to align patient backgrounds.

METHODS

Patients with treatment-naïve nAMD who received either faricimab or aflibercept for three consecutive monthly injections as the loading phase were enrolled in this study. In the 1:1 PSM, sex, age, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), central choroidal thickness (CCT), and AMD subtypes in the pre-treatment state were selected as covariates. We examined the BCVA, CMT, CCT, and remaining fluid at 1-, 2-, and 3-month after the first injection.

RESULTS

After PSM, 43 eyes were included in the faricimab and aflibercept group each. Both groups showed significant improvements in BCVA, CMT, and CCT at 1-, 2-, and 3-month after the initial injection compared with baseline. Meanwhile, no significant differences were observed between the two groups at any time point regarding BCVA, CMT, and CCT. At 1-month, 18.6% of patients in the faricimab group and 41.9% in the aflibercept group demonstrated residual subretinal fluid or intraretinal fluid, with a significant difference between the groups (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

The BCVA improved after three loading injections of both faricimab and aflibercept. Faricimab may provide a favorable early treatment response in reducing subretinal fluid in a Japanese cohort.

Retinal and choroidal changes after anti-VEGF therapy in neovascular-AMD patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of SD-OCT studies

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the progress made in the field of optical coherence tomography has helped to understand the changes in eye layers in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Early diagnosis of nAMD, a leading cause of irreversible vision impairment, is helpful. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis on OCT measurement alterations before and after anti-VEGF therapy in patients with nAMD and controls.

METHOD

We systematically searched Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science to find articles that measured choroidal and retinal layer changes after anti-VEGF therapy in nAMD Patients. We chose either a fixed-effects or random-effects model based on the assessed heterogeneity level to perform a meta-analysis. In addition, we conducted meta-regression, subgroup analyses, publication bias, and quality assessment for included studies.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were included in the meta-analysis, with 733 total participants. Foveal thickness and subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT) decreased significantly in the first 3 years after injections, except for subfoveal CT in the third year after injection. It also showed that CT at 1500 µm temporal and nasal to the fovea did not significantly change.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed anti-VEGF treatment for nAMD patients was associated with a significant reduction in foveal thickness and subfoveal CT in the first 2 years after treatment. Our analysis did not reveal any correlation between changes in foveal thickness and subfoveal CT with best-corrected visual acuity or other factors.

Five-year outcomes of treat and extend regimen using intravitreal aflibercept injection for treatment-naïve age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the long-term outcomes of eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with aflibercept according to a treat-and-extend (T&E) regimen for up to 5 years. Methods This retrospective study included 112 eyes of 111 patients with nAMD who received aflibercept according to the T&E regimen. The patients received 3 monthly injections of aflibercept followed by a T&E regimen for at least 12 months. Data, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), treatment interval, presence of exudation, central retinal thickness, and central choroidal thickness were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 112 consecutive eyes, 66 completed the 5-year follow-up. After 5 years of treatment, BCVA (logMAR) was significantly better than baseline (0.29 ± 0.31 at baseline and 0.18 ± 0.23 at 5 years, P < 0.01). A mean of 7.0 ± 1.5 injections in the first year and 4.9 ± 2.2 injections per year thereafter were required. In eyes with subretinal hyperreflective material (SHRM) at baseline, BCVA at baseline and 5 years were significantly worse than in eyes without SHRM at baseline and 5 years. However, the eyes with SHRM required fewer injections and exhibited greater BCVA improvement.

CONCLUSION

This retrospective study demonstrated the effectiveness of the T&E regimen with aflibercept in managing nAMD over a 5-year period, maintaining significant improvements in BCVA.

Dose-Related Side Effects of Intravitreal Injections of Humanized Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Rats: Glial Cell Reactivity and Retinal Ganglion Cell Loss

Purpose

In a previous study, we documented that the Intravitreal injections (IVIs) of bevacizumab in rats caused a retinal inflammatory response. We now study whether the IVI of other humanized anti-VEGF: ranibizumab and aflibercept also cause an inflammatory reaction in the rat retina and if it depends on the dose administered. Finally, we study whether this reaction affects retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival.

Methods

Albino Sprague-Dawley rats received a single IVI of 5 µL of PBS or ranibizumab or aflibercept at the concentration used in clinical practice (10 µg/µL or 40 µg/µL) or at a lower concentration (0.38 µg/µL and 1.5 µg/µL) calculated to obtain within the rat eye the same concentration as in the human eye in clinical practice. Others received a single 5 µL IVI of a polyclonal goat anti-rat VEGF (0.015 µg/µL) or of vehicle (PBS). Animals were processed 7 days or 1 month later. Retinal whole mounts were immunolabeled for the detection of microglial, macroglial, RGCs, and intrinsically photosensitive RGCs (ipRGCs). Fluorescence and confocal microscopy were used to examine retinal changes, and RGCs and ipRGCs were quantified automatically or semiautomatically, respectively.

Results

All the injected substances including the PBS induced detectable side effects, namely, retinal microglial cell activation and retinal astrocyte hypertrophy. However, there was a greater microglial and macroglial response when the higher concentrations of ranibizumab and aflibercept were injected than when PBS, the antibody anti-rat VEGF and the lower concentrations of ranibizumab or aflibercept were injected. The higher concentration of ranibizumab and aflibercept resulted also in significant RGC death, but did not cause appreciable ipRGC death.

Conclusions

The IVI of all the substances had some retinal inflammatory effects. The IVI of humanized anti-VEGF to rats at high doses cause important side effects: severe inflammation and RGC death, but not ipRGC death.

A Comprehensive Immunocapture-LC-MS/MS Bioanalytical Approach in Support of a Biotherapeutic Ocular PK Study

BI-X, a therapeutic protein under development for the treatment of human ocular disease via intravitreal administration, binds to its therapeutic targets and endogenous albumin in the vitreous humor. A monkey ocular pharmacokinetic (PK) study following BI-X administration was conducted to measure drug and albumin levels in plasma, the vitreous humor, the aqueous humor, and retina tissue at various timepoints post-dose. A comprehensive bioanalytical approach was implemented in support of this study. Five immunocapture-LC-MS/MS assays were developed and qualified for quantitating BI-X in different matrices, while ELISA was used for albumin measurement. Immunocapture at the protein or peptide level was evaluated to achieve adequate assay sensitivity. Drug and albumin assays were applied for the analysis of the monkey study samples.

A novel capsid-XL32-derived adeno-associated virus serotype prompts retinal tropism and ameliorates choroidal neovascularization

Gene therapy has been adapted, from the laboratory to the clinic, to treat retinopathies. In contrast to subretinal route, intravitreal delivery of AAV vectors displays the advantage of bypassing surgical injuries, but the viral particles are more prone to be nullified by the host neutralizing factors. To minimize such suppression of therapeutic effect, especially in terms of AAV2 and its derivatives, we introduced three serine-to-glycine mutations, based on the phosphorylation sites identified by mass spectrum analysis, to the XL32 capsid to generate a novel serotype named AAVYC5. Via intravitreal administration, AAVYC5 was transduced more effectively into multiple retinal layers compared with AAV2 and XL32. AAVYC5 also enabled successful delivery of anti-angiogenic molecules to rescue laser-induced choroidal neovascularization and astrogliosis in mice and non-human primates. Furthermore, we detected fewer neutralizing antibodies and binding IgG in human sera against AAVYC5 than those specific for AAV2 and XL32. Our results thus implicate this capsid-optimized AAVYC5 as a promising vector suitable for a wide population, particularly those with undesirable AAV2 seroreactivity.

Influence of lesion location on lesion reactivation after initial treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE

We aim to evaluate the factors associated with the incidence of lesion reactivation after initial loading injections in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with treatment-naïve neovascular AMD who received three loading injections of either ranibizumab or aflibercept. After the initial treatment, patients were followed up every 1-2 months during the first year and the follow-up interval was extended to 4 months during the second year. Retreatment was administered on an as-needed basis. The incidence and timing of lesion reactivation at 24 months after diagnosis were identified. In addition, Cox's proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the association of baseline factors with lesion reactivation. Lesion reactivation was defined re-accumulation of subretinal fluid/intraretinal fluid or the development of subretinal/intraretinal hemorrhage.

RESULTS

A total of 284 patients (173 men and 111 women) were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 70.5 ± 8.8 years. During the 24-month follow-up period, lesion reactivation was observed in 216 eyes (76.1%) at a mean of 8.2 ± 4.4 months after diagnosis. The incidence of lesion reactivation was 62.5% in extrafoveal macular neovascularization (MNV), 75.0% in juxtafoveal MNV, and 79.5% in subfoveal MNV. The extrafoveal MNV showed significantly lower incidence of lesion reactivation than subfoveal MNV (P = 0.041, hazard ratio = 0.64).

CONCLUSIONS

Extrafoveal MNVs showed a lower incidence of lesion reactivation after initial treatment than subfoveal MNVs. This result should be considered when interpreting the results of clinical trials with different eligibility criteria regarding lesion location.

Anti-VEGF Treatment Strategies for 3 Subtypes of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Clinical Setting: A Multicenter Cohort Study in Japan

PURPOSE

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is classified into typical AMD (tAMD), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). This study investigated clinical features of the 3 subtypes and visual outcome associated with treatment regimens in a large cohort of patients with nAMD in a clinical setting.

DESIGN

Retrospective multicenter cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Five hundred patients with treatment-naive nAMD (268 tAMD, 200 PCV, and 32 RAP) initiated with anti-VEGF agents and followed for 1 year.

METHODS

Medical records were reviewed to extract demographic data, best-corrected visual acuity at baseline and 1 year after treatment initiation, spectral-domain OCT findings, baseline fellow eye condition, systemic factors, treatment strategies, and number of intravitreal injections in the first year.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome measures were anti-VEGF treatment strategy (ranibizumab or aflibercept, anti-VEGF regimen, concomitant photodynamic therapy, drug switch), best-corrected visual acuity at 1 year, and factors associated with visual acuity.

RESULTS

Patients with RAP were significantly older, were more commonly women, and had more macular lesions in fellow eye than patients with tAMD and PCV. Smoking history and diabetes prevalence were not different among the 3 subtypes. Frequencies of subretinal fluid were higher and intraretinal fluid were lower in tAMD and PCV than in RAP, whereas serous pigment epithelial detachment and subretinal hemorrhage were higher in PCV than in tAMD and RAP. Choice of anti-VEGF agents and treatment regimens did not differ among 3 subtypes. The aflibercept-to-ranibizumab ratio was approximately 7:3. The mean number of injections in 1 year was 5.3 ± 2.4 in nAMD overall, which was significantly less in pro re nata (PRN) than in treat and extend (TAE) regardless of the anti-VEGF agent. Best-corrected visual acuity improved in all 3 subtypes, although it was not significant in patients with RAP.

CONCLUSIONS

This clinical study demonstrates that treatment regimens were similar in 3 subtypes and aflibercept was used in 70% of all patients. Approximately 5 injections were given in the first year regardless of the anti-VEGF agent, which was significantly less in PRN regimen than in TAE. Visual acuity improvement was observed after 1-year anti-VEGF therapy in all 3 subtypes, but was not significant in RAP.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

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

STRICT PRO RE NATA VERSUS TREAT-AND-EXTEND REGIMENS IN NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

PURPOSE

To compare the visual and anatomical outcomes between strict pro re nata (strict PRN) and treat-and-extend (T&E) anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) regimens for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

METHODS

A meta-analysis of 1-year and 2-year changes between strict PRN and T&E anti-VEGF regimens were conducted in both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and real-world studies (RWSs). The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and weighted mean numbers of visits and injections were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 19 RCTs and 23 RWSs (2,530 eyes in strict PRN and 4,399 eyes in T&E) were included. Mean BCVA change in strict PRN group in both 1-year and 2-year (5.95 and 5.78, respectively) was noninferior to the T&E group (7.85 and 5.96, respectively). Mean CRT changes were also similar in both strict PRN and T&E groups. Mean number of visits were significantly more in the strict PRN group, whereas mean number of injections was significantly more in the T&E group.

CONCLUSION

The strict PRN regimen demonstrates a noninferior BCVA improvement to the T&E regimen, achieving fewer injections, and may be both economically and medically beneficial. Both selections should be provided to patients with an overall consideration.

LONG-TERM MORPHOLOGIC CHANGES IN MACULAR NEOVASCULARIZATION UNDER AFLIBERCEPT TREATMENT WITH A TREAT-AND-EXTEND REGIMEN

PURPOSE

To examine the morphologic changes in macular neovascularization (MNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration after 2 years of aflibercept treatment under a treat-and-extend (T&E) regimen.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed the medical records for 26 eyes of 25 patients diagnosed with treatment-naive neovascular age-related macular degeneration and treated with aflibercept under a treat-and-extend regimen for 2 years. The areas of the MNV and vascular structures were assessed using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography at baseline and after 2 years of treatment.

RESULTS

The mean MNV area increased significantly from 0.65 ± 0.42 mm 2 at baseline to 0.78 ± 0.45 mm 2 at 2 years. At 2 years, the mean change in the MNV area from baseline was 22% (interquartile range: 4%-60%). The baseline MNV area was negatively correlated with the change ratio of the MNV areas at 2 years and baseline ( R = -0.68, P < 0.001). Nine of the 26 eyes (34.6%) showed newly formed mature vessels, and 7 eyes (26.9%) showed prominently developing preexisting mature vessels.

CONCLUSION

Macular neovascularization expanded and showed vascular maturation under aflibercept treatment with a treat-and-extend regimen. The smaller the MNV at baseline, the greater is its expansion in 2 years.

Two-year outcomes of treat-and-extend regimen with intravitreal brolucizumab for treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration with type 1 macular neovascularization

We previously reported one-year results of a treat-and-extend (TAE) regimen with intravitreal brolucizumab for 68 eyes with treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) associated with type 1 macular neovascularization (MNV). In the current study, we evaluated second-year results of the brolucizumab TAE therapy in 45 eyes with type 1 MNV that had completed the first-year treatment. Forty-three eyes (95.6%) received brolucizumab TAE treatment during a period of 96 weeks. The significant improvement of best-corrected visual acuity in the first year was maintained in the second year. Moreover, the significant foveal thickness and central choroidal thickness reductions in the first year were maintained in the second year. The total number of injections over the 96-week study period was 10.0 ± 1.4, with 6.4 ± 0.6 in the first year and 3.6 ± 1.0 in the second year. The intended injection interval at week 96 was 8 weeks in 9 eyes (20.9%), 12 weeks in 3 eyes (7.0%), and 16 weeks in 31 eyes (72.1%), with an average injection interval of 14.0 ± 3.3 weeks. No eyes developed brolucizumab-related intraocular inflammation (IOI) during the second-year treatment. These results indicate that the TAE regimen with intravitreal brolucizumab for treatment-naïve nAMD associated with type 1 MNV effectively maintained the improved visual acuity and the diminished exudative changes in the second year. Moreover, intravitreal brolucizumab has the potential to reduce the treatment burden of nAMD. The risk of developing brolucizumab-related IOI appeared to be very low during the second year of this TAE regimen.

Does real-time artificial intelligence-based visual pathology enhancement of three-dimensional optical coherence tomography scans optimise treatment decision in patients with nAMD? Rationale and design of the RAZORBILL study

BACKGROUND/RATIONALE

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based clinical decision support tools, being developed across multiple fields in medicine, need to be evaluated for their impact on the treatment and outcomes of patients as well as optimisation of the clinical workflow. The RAZORBILL study will investigate the impact of advanced AI segmentation algorithms on the disease activity assessment in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) by enriching three-dimensional (3D) retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans with automated fluid and layer quantification measurements.

METHODS

RAZORBILL is an observational, multicentre, multinational, open-label study, comprising two phases: (a) clinical data collection (phase I): an observational study design, which enforces neither strict visit schedule nor mandated treatment regimen was chosen as an appropriate design to collect data in a real-world clinical setting to enable evaluation in phase II and (b) OCT enrichment analysis (phase II): de-identified 3D OCT scans will be evaluated for disease activity. Within this evaluation, investigators will review the scans once enriched with segmentation results (i.e., highlighted and quantified pathological fluid volumes) and once in its original (i.e., non-enriched) state. This review will be performed using an integrated crossover design, where investigators are used as their own controls allowing the analysis to account for differences in expertise and individual disease activity definitions.

CONCLUSIONS

In order to apply novel AI tools to routine clinical care, their benefit as well as operational feasibility need to be carefully investigated. RAZORBILL will inform on the value of AI-based clinical decision support tools. It will clarify if these can be implemented in clinical treatment of patients with nAMD and whether it allows for optimisation of individualised treatment in routine clinical care.

Efficacy, safety, and treatment burden of treat-and-extend versus alternative anti-VEGF regimens for nAMD: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aimed to compare efficacy and treatment burden of treat-and-extend (T&E) anti-VEGF against fixed and pro re nata (PRN) regimens for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched. Randomized-controlled trials and observational studies comparing T&E to PRN or fixed dosing for treatment-naïve AMD patients were included. Mean difference (MD) for visual acuity (VA) and number of injections are presented. Risk of bias was assessed according to Cochrane guidelines. Methodology was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). VA improvement was similar with T&E and fixed dosing at one (MD -0.08 letters, p = 0.95) and two years (MD 0.58 letters, p = 0.62). In contrast, VA improvements were significantly greater for T&E when compared against a PRN regimen at one (MD 3.95 letters, p < 0.0001) and two years (MD 4.08 letters, p < 0.001). Significantly fewer ranibizumab injections were administered in the T&E arm at one (MD -2.42 injections, p < 0.0001) and two years (MD -6.06 injections, p < 0.00001) relative to fixed dosing. Fewer aflibercept injections were likewise administered to patients on a T&E regimen versus fixed dosing at one year (MD -0.78 injections, p < 0.0001). Low-certainty evidence from the present synthesis implies that T&E preserves VA similar to fixed schedules with significantly fewer injections at one and two years. Also, patients with T&E dosing achieved better VA outcomes than those on PRN regimen but T&E dosing was associated with more injections.

Comparison of 24-month treatment outcomes between as-needed treatment and switching to treat-and-extend in type 3 macular neovascularization

This study aimed to compare 24-month treatment outcomes between patients with type 3 macular neovascularization (MNV) treated using an as-needed regimen and those who switched to treat-and-extend (TAE). This retrospective study included 32 patients who were initially treated with an as-needed regimen but switched to TAE (TAE group) and 74 patients who were treated with an as-needed regimen throughout the follow-up period (as-needed group). The number of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections and degree of change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over 24 months were compared between the two groups. The incidence of fibrotic scarring, tears of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and subretinal hemorrhage was also evaluated. The number of anti-VEGF injections was higher in the TAE group (mean: 11.7) than in the as-needed group (mean: 6.9; P < 0.001). The BCVA outcome (measured using the mean logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution [logMAR]) was significantly better in the TAE group (mean improvement of logMAR 0.15) than in the as-needed group (mean deterioration of logMAR 0.15). The incidence of fibrotic scarring (6.3% vs. 18.9%), RPE tears (3.1% vs. 6.8%), and subretinal hemorrhage (0% vs. 9.5%) was relatively lower in the TAE group. Treatment outcomes of the TAE group were better than those of the as-needed group, suggesting that switching to the TAE regimen would be a useful approach for patients with type 3 MNV requiring efficient treatment.

Ethnic differences on long term outcomes of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy after predominantly bevacizumab monotherapy

Background

A 3-year single-centre, retrospective, comparative, non-randomized cohort study to describe the long-term outcomes of treatment-naïve, Caucasian and non-Caucasian eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) after treatment with predominantly Bevacizumab monotherapy or in combination with rescue photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Methods

Demographics, visual outcomes, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and treatment data were collected up to 3 years after the first visit. Stratified analysis according to ethnicity and baseline vision was performed to identify factors predictive of long-term visual improvement and maintenance.

Results

A total of 89 eyes with PCV were identified, of which 14 received rescue verteporfin PDT. There was an equal distribution between Caucasian and non-Caucasian individuals. Non-Caucasians present at a younger age (67.3 vs. 76.0 years, p = 0.002), have a higher proportion of foveal involvement (80.9%, vs.54.2% p = 0.007), choroidal hyperpermeability (50% vs 25.8%, p = 0.013) and lower baseline visual acuity (53.1 vs. 63.3 letters, p = 0.008). Mean visual acuity (VA) gain was + 8.9 letters and + 5.0 letters at 1 and 3 years of follow-up, respectively. Non-Caucasian individuals had a lower mean final visual acuity (VA) (54.7 vs. 70.5, respectively; P < 0.001) and net gain in VA (+ 2.0 vs. + 7.6 letters, p = 0.581) compared to Caucasian individuals. The mean total number of injections given over 3 years was 14.

Conclusions

Most patients treated with predominantly Bevacizumab anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monotherapy achieved sustained visual acuity gains out to 3 years. Due to ethnic-specific differences in presenting PCV phenotypes, non-Caucasians presented with lower baseline VA and had poorer long-term visual outcomes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12886-022-02551-3.

One-year results of treat-and-extend regimen with intravitreal brolucizumab for treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration with type 1 macular neovascularization

We evaluated 1-year outcomes of loading phase treatment followed by maintenance treatment using a treat-and-extend (TAE) regimen with intravitreal brolucizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) associated with type 1 macular neovascularization (MNV). We analyzed 68 eyes of 65 consecutive patients with treatment-naïve nAMD associated with type 1 MNV. Forty-five eyes (66.2%) completed the 1-year treatment with intravitreal brolucizumab. In those cases, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) showed significant improvement, while there were significant reductions in foveal thickness and central choroidal thickness, after the initial brolucizumab injection, which were maintained until the last visit. The average total number of injections over 1 year was 6.4 ± 0.6. The average intended injection interval at the last visit was 14.0 ± 2.9 weeks. Moreover, 17of 23 eyes (73.9%) with polypoidal lesions showed complete regression of these lesions after the loading phase treatment. Although intraocular inflammation (IOI) was observed in 15 of 68 eyes (22.1%) within 1 year, amelioration in response to combination therapy with topical and subtenon injection of steroids, without visual decline, was obtained. These results indicate that loading phase treatment followed by the TAE regimen with intravitreal brolucizumab might improve BCVA and ameliorate exudative changes in eyes with treatment-naïve nAMD associated with type 1 MNV. Moreover, intravitreal brolucizumab can potentially reduce the treatment burden of nAMD. Prompt steroid therapy might be efficacious for ameliorating brolucizumab-related IOI without visual decline.

Early OCT Angiography Changes of Macular Neovascularization in Patients with Exudative AMD Treated with Brolucizumab in a Real-World Setting

Background

To report on the short-term outcome of intravitreal brolucizumab in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods

This is a prospective, interventional, monocentric study on 10 eyes of 10 patients with a treatment-naïve neovascular AMD. Patients were treated according to the HAWK and HARRIER trials. After loading with 3 monthly injections, eyes received an injection 12 weeks after the upload (q12w) or were adjusted to an 8 week interval (q8w), if disease activity was present 8 weeks after the upload. Main outcome measures were the change in central retinal thickness (CRT) assessed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), the change in macular neovascularization (MNV) size on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), and the change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 8 and 12 weeks after the upload. We further assessed clinical parameters that predict the treatment response at baseline based on the need of q8w or q12w injections after the upload.

Results

CRT decreased significantly from 461.7 ± 82.9 μm to 343.6 ± 74.3 μm (p=0.004) 12 weeks after the upload. The MNV size decreased significantly from 0.85 ± 1.1 to 0.75 ± 1.2 mm² (p=0.022). BCVA improved from 0.67 ± 0.4 to 0.55 ± 0.4logMAR but without statistical significance. MNV size in eyes on q12w was considerably smaller compared to that in eyes on q8w (0.54 ± 0.7 mm² vs. 1.98 ± 2.4 mm²). The percentage of eyes without any persistent fluid was 70% (7/10 eyes).

Conclusions

Brolucizumab appears to be a valuable tool for the management of patients with nAMD. Furthermore, MNV size at baseline might serve as an early predictor of treatment response.

To investigate treat and extend versus pro re nata regimen in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: results from the IDEM study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to report the 24-month outcomes of a pro re nata (PRN) compared with a treat and extend (T&E) regimen in patients previously treated for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

METHODS

This was a 2-year prospective, single-center study. Previously treated patients for nAMD were randomized into two regimen groups: T&E and PRN groups. Main outcome measured was change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to month 24. Secondary outcomes encompassed anatomical features such as central retinal thickness (CRT), number of intravitreal injections (IVI), and visits required.

RESULTS

A total of 124 eyes received the T&E (n = 61) or PRN (n = 63) regimen. At month 24, the mean BCVA change was -4.4 early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) letters (T&E) and -3.4 ETDRS letters (PRN), with a difference of +1.1 ETDRS letters (95% CI [-2.25]; p = 0.006). The mean change in CRT was -10.6 µm (T&E) and -7.9 µm (PRN), with a difference of +2.6 µm (95% CI [+19.2]; p = 0.004). The T&E group had received a mean of +4.6 more injections (95% CI [-7.06; -2.12]; p < 0.001) at month 24.

CONCLUSION

There was statistically proven non-inferiority between the PRN and T&E regimens in terms of visual and anatomical outcomes at 24 months, with significantly more IVI administered in the T&E regimen.

Role of intraretinal and subretinal fluid on clinical and anatomical outcomes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration treated with bimonthly, treat-and-extend and as-needed ranibizumab in the In-Eye study

PURPOSE

To assess the effect of fluid status at baseline (BL) and at the end of the loading phase (LP) of three different ranibizumab regimens: treat-and-extend (T&E), fixed bimonthly (FBM) injections and pro re nata (PRN), in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

DESIGN

Post hoc analysis of the In-Eye study (phase IV clinical trial).

METHODS

Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to the three study arms and were treated accordingly. The presence and type of fluid, intraretinal fluid (IRF) or subretinal fluid (SRF) and the anatomical and visual outcomes were analysed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the mean change from baseline BCVA (BL BCVA), and the proportion of eyes gaining more than 15 letters or losing more than five letters were analysed. Morphological characteristics including the subtype of choroidal neovascular membrane and the development of atrophy and fibrosis were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Patients with SRF at LP had better visual outcomes than patients with IRF. The persistence of SRF did not affect the mean change from BL BCVA among the three treatment regimens. However, in patients with IRF mean change from BL BCVA was significantly lower in the FBM group. The presence of IRF at BL and at the end of the loading phase was associated with the development of fibrosis at the end of the study; this result was contrary to that observed for patients with SRF.

CONCLUSIONS

While SRF is compatible with good visual and anatomical outcomes, IRF leads to worse results in patients with nAMD; our results suggest that patients with IRF have better outcomes when individualized treatment regimens are used (PRN or T&E) in contrast with a FBM regimen.

LamNet: A Lesion Attention Maps-Guided Network for the Prediction of Choroidal Neovascularization Volume in SD-OCT Images

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) volume prediction has an important clinical significance to predict the therapeutic effect and schedule the follow-up. In this paper, we propose a Lesion Attention Maps-Guided Network (LamNet) to automatically predict the CNV volume of next follow-up visit after therapy based on 3-dimentional spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images. In particular, the backbone of LamNet is a 3D convolutional neural network (3D-CNN). In order to guide the network to focus on the local CNV lesion regions, we use CNV attention maps generated by an attention map generator to produce the multi-scale local context features. Then, the multi-scale of both local and global feature maps are fused to achieve the high-precision CNV volume prediction. In addition, we also design a synergistic multi-task predictor, in which a trend-consistent loss ensures that the change trend of the predicted CNV volume is consistent with the real change trend of the CNV volume. The experiments include a total of 541 SD-OCT cubes from 68 patients with two types of CNV captured by two different SD-OCT devices. The results demonstrate that LamNet can provide the reliable and accurate CNV volume prediction, which would further assist the clinical diagnosis and design the treatment options.

Preferred treatment regimen of aflibercept after treatment interruption in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of antiangiogenic therapy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration depends on adherence to the intravitreal injection regimen and regular follow-up. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and associated epidemiological restrictions in ophthalmological care delivery led to a massive lack of appropriate control and management of this condition. AIM: To determine the preferred regimen of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration who experienced treatment interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty eyes of 26 patients (20 males and 6 females, mean age 73.710.4 years) with neovascular age-related macular degeneration were included; all of them experienced treatment interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic during the second year of aflibercept therapy. Re-starting therapy, all patients were divided in two groups and received treatment as per the fixed dosing (bimonthly), or as pro re nata (PRN) regimen. All patients underwent standard ophthalmological examination and optical coherence tomography before and after treatment interruption as well as six months after treatment re-start. RESULTS: At six months after treatment re-start, best corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness did not show statistically significant difference similar between the fixed dosing group and that of PRN dosing regimen (p=0.34 and p=0.85, respectively). However, patients of the fixed dosing group received for one more injection than those of the PRN group (median value 2.0 injections, 95% confidence interval 2.0-2.4; p=0.0001). Preservation of the disease activity according to optical coherence tomography data, in the fixed regimen group was found in 10 eyes (71.4 %) versus 9 eyes (56.2 %) in the PRN group (p=0.63). CONCLUSIONS: For neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients at the second year of treatment, an adequate therapeutic strategy for re-starting anti-VEGF therapy after treatment interruption appears to be the PRN regimen. PRN regimen allows reducing one injection in comparison to fixed dosing regimen with comparable functional outcomes during first 6 month.

PIGMENT EPITHELIAL DETACHMENT IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: Long-Term Visual Acuity May Improve With Higher Injection Index

PURPOSE

To define injection index (II) and assess its impact on visual acuity (VA) in pigment epithelial detachment from age-related macular degeneration over 5 years.

METHODS

Injection index is defined as the mean anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections per year from presentation. A retrospective study of 256 eyes in 213 patients was performed. Patients were stratified by II (high: ≥9, low: <9).

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics showed no differences across II groups. Mean (range) follow-up, in years, was 5.02 (1.04-12.74) for all patients. Mean logMAR VA (Snellen VA) were 0.60 (20/80) and 0.56 (20/73) at baseline, 0.52 (20/66) and 0.59 (20/78) at Year 1, 0.45 (20/56) and 0.67 (20/94) at Year 2, 0.38 (20/48) and 0.66 (20/91) at Year 3, 0.41 (20/51) and 0.89 (20/155) at Year 4, and 0.35 (20/45) and 0.79 (20/123) at Year 5 for the high and low II groups, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed a gain of 0.5 approxETDRS letters with each additional injection per year.

CONCLUSION

Increased II was associated with better mean VA, suggesting that long-term continuous vascular endothelial growth factor suppression may improve VA in eyes thought to carry poor prognoses.

Effectiveness of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors in neovascular age-related macular degeneration and variables associated with visual acuity outcomes: Results from the EAGLE study

Objective

To assess the overall effectiveness of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy in treatment-naïve patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in a clinical practice setting.

Study design

EAGLE was a retrospective, 2-year, cohort observational, multicenter study conducted in Italy that analyzed secondary data of treatment-naïve patients with nAMD. The primary endpoint evaluated the mean annualized number of anti-VEGF injections at Years 1 and 2. The main secondary endpoints analyzed the mean change in visual acuity (VA) from baseline and variables associated with visual outcomes at Years 1 and 2.

Results

Of the 752 patients enrolled, 745 (99.07%) received the first dose of anti-VEGF in 2016. Overall, 429 (57.05%) and 335 (44.5%) patients completed the 1- and 2-year follow-ups, respectively. At baseline, mean (standard deviation, SD) age was 75.6 (8.8) years and the mean (SD) VA was 53.43 (22.8) letters. The mean (SD) number of injections performed over the 2 years was 8.2 (4.1) resulting in a mean (SD) change in VA of 2.45 (19.36) (P = 0.0005) letters at Year 1 and −1.34 (20.85) (P = 0.3984) letters at Year 2. Linear regression models showed that age, baseline VA, number of injections, and early fluid resolution were the variables independently associated with visual outcomes at Years 1 and 2.

Conclusions

The EAGLE study analyzed the routine clinical practice management of patients with nAMD in Italy. The study suggested that visual outcomes in clinical practice may be improved with earlier diagnosis, higher number of injections, and accurate fluid resolution targeting during treatment induction.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration: A review of findings from the real-world Fight Retinal Blindness! registry

The use of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors has revolutionised the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) since the pivotal Phase III studies demonstrated their efficacy more than 10 years ago. The Fight Retinal Blindness! project was developed to track the treatment outcomes of patients with nAMD in real-world practice. Data from this registry have been used to answer several clinically relevant questions related to the treatment of nAMD including the effect of under-treatment, the comparative effectiveness of different anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, long-term treatment outcomes, identifying optimal treatment regimens and the rate and outcomes of rare adverse events. Observational studies are a valuable complement to the shortcomings of clinical trials and a combination of data from real-world settings and clinical trials are necessary to provide evidence on how to achieve the best outcomes for individual patients with nAMD.

Predictors of Visual Acuity After Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration - Current Perspectives

Visual acuity is a key outcome measure in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) using anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents. Large variations in visual responses between individuals within clinical trials and real-world studies may relate to underlying differences in patient and treatment factors. Most notably, a better baseline visual acuity, younger age and smaller choroidal neovascularization lesion size have been strongly associated with achieving better visual outcomes. In addition, there is emerging evidence for other roles including genetic factors and anatomical variables such as fluid status. Apart from patient-related factors, treatments that favor a higher number of injections tend to provide better visual outcomes. Overall, the identification of predictive factors does not currently play an essential role in the clinical management of patients with nAMD. However, they have allowed for the understanding that early detection, timely management and close monitoring of the disease are required to achieve optimal visual outcomes. Further investigation into predictive factors alongside the development of novel therapeutic agents may one day provide a means to accurately predict patient outcomes. Treatment regimens that offer flexible dosing patterns such as the treat-and-extend strategy currently provide a degree of personalization during treatment.

Meteorin Is a Novel Therapeutic Target for Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential anti-angiogenic effect of MTRN (meteorin) in the laser-induced CNV rat model and explore its mechanisms of action. MTRN, thrompospondin-1, glial cell markers (GFAP, vimentin), and phalloidin were immuno-stained in non-human primate flat-mounted retinas and human retina cross sections. The effect of MTRN at different doses and time points was evaluated on laser-induced CNV at 14 days using in vivo fluorescein angiography and ex vivo quantification of CNV. A pan transcriptomic analysis of the retina and the RPE/choroid complex was used to explore MTRN effects mechanisms. In human retina, MTRN is enriched in the macula, expressed in and secreted by glial cells, and located in photoreceptor cells, including in nuclear bodies. Intravitreal MTRN administered preventively reduced CNV angiographic scores and CNV size in a dose-dependent manner. The highest dose, administered at day 7, also reduced CNV. MTRN, which is regulated by mineralocorticoid receptor modulators in the rat retina, regulates pathways associated with angiogenesis, oxidative stress, and neuroprotection. MTRN is a potential novel therapeutic candidate protein for wet AMD.

Prospective Clinical Trial of Intravitreal Aflibercept Treat-and-extend Regimen for Diabetic Macular Edema: 1-Year Outcomes

Purpose

To investigate the efficacy of aflibercept for the treatment of diabetic macular edema via a treat-and-extend regimen.

Methods

This prospective, single-center, open-label, interventional study involved 30 patients with a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≤0.6 and a central retinal thickness (CRT) ≥300 µm. The enrolled eyes each received a monthly intravitreal aflibercept injection until the CRT decreased below 300 µm, upon which the administration interval was extended for 1 month until the CRT once again increased to ≥300 µm. Main outcome measures were median BCVA and CRT at 6 and 12 months after initiation of treatment via last observation carried forward analysis, the median number of injections over the 12 months, and the effects on the diabetic retinopathy severity scale (DRSS) score of the patients who completed the 12-month follow-up period.

Results

Of the 30 enrolled patients, 29 and 25 respectively completed the 6- and 12-month follow-up examinations. From baseline to 6 and 12 months after treatment initiation, the median BCVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) significantly improved from 0.52 to 0.30 and 0.35, respectively, and the median CRT significantly decreased from 439.5 to 268.5 and 249.0 µm, respectively. The median number of injections over the 12-month follow-up period was 6.0. Compared to baseline, the DRSS score at 12 months was improved by 2 steps in 16% of patients; in no cases did the DRSS score worsen or improve by three steps or more.

Conclusions

When administered in a treat-and-extend regimen, aflibercept is an effective treatment option for diabetic macular edema.

Age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness in the industrialized world. AMD is characterized by accumulation of extracellular deposits, namely drusen, along with progressive degeneration of photoreceptors and adjacent tissues. AMD is a multifactorial disease encompassing a complex interplay between ageing, environmental risk factors and genetic susceptibility. Chronic inflammation, lipid deposition, oxidative stress and impaired extracellular matrix maintenance are strongly implicated in AMD pathogenesis. However, the exact interactions of pathophysiological events that culminate in drusen formation and the associated degeneration processes remain to be elucidated. Despite tremendous advances in clinical care and in unravelling pathophysiological mechanisms, the unmet medical need related to AMD remains substantial. Although there have been major breakthroughs in the treatment of exudative AMD, no efficacious treatment is yet available to prevent progressive irreversible photoreceptor degeneration, which leads to central vision loss. Compelling progress in high-resolution retinal imaging has enabled refined phenotyping of AMD in vivo. These insights, in combination with clinicopathological and genetic correlations, have underscored the heterogeneity of AMD. Hence, our current understanding promotes the view that AMD represents a disease spectrum comprising distinct phenotypes with different mechanisms of pathogenesis. Hence, tailoring therapeutics to specific phenotypes and stages may, in the future, be the key to preventing irreversible vision loss.

One year outcomes of treat and extend and pro re nata (PRN) treatment regimens with aflibercept for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

PURPOSE

To compare the 1-year outcomes of treat-and-extend and pro re nata (PRN) treatment regimens with aflibercept for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), by the means of visual acuity (VA), frequency of recurrence of polypoidal lesions and developed fibrosis, and the number of intravitreal injections, and thus to determine which one is preferable in the maintenance phase in PCV.

METHODS

In our prospective study, only naive and previously untreated PCV patients were included. Initially one session of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and three monthly intravitreal injections of 2.0 mg aflibercept (IAIs) were applied in 38 eyes. After this loading phase, they were re-examined and 30 PCV eyes with no exudative phenomena were included in the study. They were divided in two groups; in the first one (16 patients) the PRN treatment modality of IAIs was applied, while in the second one (14 patients) the treat-and-extend regimen was applied.

RESULTS

Over a 12-month period, VA significantly improved in treat-and-extend group (logMAR BCVA 0.41 ± 0.15 vs 0.57 ± 0.24 at baseline, p = 0.044), while in the PRN group VA remained stable (logMAR BCVA 0.70 ± 0.36 vs 0.65 ± 0.18 at baseline, p = 0.61). During the maintenance phase, the patients of treat-and-extend group did not encounter development/progression of fibrosis or any recurrent episodes, whereas the patients of PRN group had significantly more recurrent episodes (0 vs 1.37 ± 0.5, p < 0.001) and the frequency of development/progression of fibrosis was significantly higher (0% vs 44%, p = 0.02). However, the treat-and-extend treatment regimen was accompanied by significantly more administered IAIs (6 ± 0 vs 5.13 ± 1.08, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

We highlighted the superiority of treat-and-extend regime with IAIs, which seems to yield better functional outcomes by preventing recurrence and subfoveal fibrosis, although a greater number of injections is required.

Visual Outcomes after Anti-VEGF Therapy for Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Real-Life Setting

BACKGROUND

To report visual outcomes of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a real-life setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective case series of consecutive patients treated with either ranibizumab and/or aflibercept for monolateral or bilateral exudative AMD. A physician established the indication for treatment and administered the injections. An independent physician confirmed the indication for primary treatment. A Pro Re Nata and a Treat and Extend regimen were used. Assessment of subretinal and/or intraretinal fluid, retinal hemorrhage and increase in pigment epithelial detachment served as criteria for further treatment decisions. Visual acuity (VA) was measured in ETDRS letters at each examination and then analyzed using a specialized software. Evolution of mean VA was considered for all study eyes and subgroups of eyes with an initial VA ≥ 70 ETDRS letters (subgroup 1) and ≤ 69 ETDRS letters (subgroup 2).

RESULTS

A total of 102 eyes of 76 patients (30 men, mean age 75.9 years; 46 women, mean age 81.5 years) were included. Subgroup 1 consisted of 47 eyes, and subgroup 2 of 55 eyes. Mean follow-up was 55 months (range 6 to 150 months). For the entire collective as for subgroups 1 and 2, the mean VA was 64, 77, or 51 ETDRS letters at baseline. Mean VA improved at month 12 (68, 80, or 58 ETDRES letters) and then slowly decreased over time until month 150 (62, 72, or 54 ETDRS letters). Maximum improvement of + 5, + 3, or, + 9 ETDRS letters occurred after 9, 8, or 10 months of follow-up. Atrophy and fibrosis were mainly responsible for VA decrease. Ten serious adverse events were reported to Swissmedic: two cases of cardiovascular events and eight cases of intraocular inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-VEGF therapy carried out in a real-life setting shows good VA outcomes with a favorable safety profile.

PRN Treatment of Neovascular AMD with Cycles of Three Monthly Injections

Purpose

To report the one and two year outcome of cycles of three, monthly anti-VEGF injections given upon reactivation of the disease in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods

Retrospective study of naïve nAMD cases with more than one year of follow-up, treated with a protocol of cycles of three monthly injections of anti-VEGF drugs upon reactivation. Visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness (CMT) are the main outcome measures.

Results

Twenty-six patients with a mean age of 78.15 ± 9.29 years (57.7% female) were included. The mean follow-up was 30.89 ± 6.95 months. Treatment started with bevacizumab in all patients but in six patients was switched to aflibercept due to inadequate response to intravitreal bevacizumab injection. The mean VA at baseline and at 12 and 24 months was 53.87 ± 21.84, 60.54 ± 21.13, and 53.68 ± 27.16 ETDRS letters, respectively. Patients gained a mean of 6.67± 13.7 (p = 0.013, 95% CI= 0.60 to 12.65) and 0.77±15.21 (p = 0.4, 95% CI: –5.65 to 7.2) letters at 12 and 24 months. CMT at baseline, 12, and 24 months was 403.55 ± 147.59, 323.95 ± 79.58, and 298.59 ± 77.161 µm, respectively. The number of injections in the first and second years were 7.65 ± 2.64 and 5.52 ± 3.01, respectively. Three eyes (12.5%) lost >15 letters at 24 months.

Conclusion

This protocol can stabilize or improve vision in 87.5% of nAMD patients and can reduce the number of visits.

Outcomes of a 2-year treat-and-extend regimen with aflibercept for diabetic macular edema

This prospective, open-label, single-arm, non-randomized clinical trial, assessed the efficacy of a 2-year treat-and-extend (T&E) regimen involving intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI), with the longest treatment interval set to 16 weeks, and adjunct focal/grid laser in diabetic macula edema (DME) patients. We examined 40 eyes (40 adults) with fovea-involving DME from 8 Japanese centers between April 2015 and February 2017. Participants received IAI with an induction period featuring monthly injections and a subsequent T&E period featuring 8–16-week injection interval, adjusted based on optical coherence tomography findings. The primary endpoints were mean changes in the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central subfield macular thickness (CST) from baseline. Thirty patients (75%) completed the 2-year follow-up. The mean BCVA and CST changed from 60.5 ± 15.6 letters and 499.2 ± 105.6 µm at baseline to 66.6 ± 17.1 letters (P = 0.217) and 315.2 ± 79.0 µm (P < 0.001), respectively, after 2 years. The treatment interval was extended to 12 and 16 weeks in 6.7% and 66.7% of patients, respectively, at the end of 2 years. The T&E aflibercept regimen with the longest treatment interval set to 16 weeks, with adjunct focal/grid laser may be a rational 2-year treatment strategy for DME.

Treat-and-extend therapy with aflibercept for diabetic macular edema: a prospective clinical trial

PURPOSE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of a treat-and-extend (T&E) regimen using aflibercept (Eylea) for diabetic macular edema (DME).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, open-label, multicenter, single-arm, nonblinded clinical study.

METHODS

Forty eyes of 40 patients with DME received a T&E regimen of intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) with the longest treatment interval set to 16 weeks and adjunct focal/grid laser for 1 year. An intent-to-treat analysis was performed using the same last-observation-carried-forward method. A per-protocol analysis was also performed for patients who completed a 1-year T&E regimen. The primary endpoints were mean changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central subfield macular thickness (CST) from baseline. Secondary endpoints included IAI-interval extension and resultant IAI numbers and the association between an early response to IAI and final BCVA gain at 1 year.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients (77.5%) completed the 1-year aflibercept T&E regimen. In these per-protocol participants, the mean CST improvement/reduction was 187.3 ± 145.0 µm (P < .001), but the mean BCVA gain was limited to 4.3 ± 12.2 letters (P = .782). Subanalysis revealed that eyes that gained ≥ 4 letters (median at week 12) after the initial 3 consecutive IAIs (induction phase) achieved greater vision improvement (13.8 ± 9.5 letters) than did the residual eyes (- 4.3 ± 9.2 letters) at 1 year (P < .001). Treatment intervals were extended to 12 and 16 weeks in 16.1% (5/31) and 45.2% (14/31) of the patients, respectively. The mean IAI number was 7.0 ± 1.1.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that although the BCVA improvement might be somewhat less than that of frequent treatment, a T&E aflibercept regimen with the longest treatment interval set to 16 weeks is a realizable rational strategy for DME treatment over 1 year.

Predicting Incremental and Future Visual Change in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Deep Learning

PURPOSE

To evaluate the predictive usefulness of quantitative imaging biomarkers, acquired automatically from OCT scans, of cross-sectional and future visual outcomes of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) starting anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Treatment-naive, first-treated eyes of patients with neovascular AMD between 2007 and 2017 at Moorfields Eye Hospital (a large, United Kingdom single center) undergoing anti-VEGF therapy.

METHODS

Automatic segmentation was carried out by applying a deep learning segmentation algorithm to 137 379 OCT scans from 6467 eyes of 3261 patients with neovascular AMD. After applying selection criteria, 926 eyes of 926 patients were analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Correlation coefficients (R² values) and mean absolute error (MAE) between quantitative OCT (qOCT) parameters and cross-sectional visual function, as well as the predictive value of these parameters for short-term visual change, that is, incremental visual acuity (VA) resulting from an individual injection, as well as VA at distant time points (up to 12 months after baseline).

RESULTS

Visual acuity at distant time points could be predicted: R² = 0.80 (MAE, 5.0 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] letters) and R² = 0.7 (MAE, 7.2 ETDRS letters) after injection at 3 and at 12 months after baseline (P < 0.001 for both), respectively. Best performing models included both baseline qOCT parameters and treatment response. Furthermore, we present proof-of-principle evidence that the incremental change in VA from an injection can be predicted: R² = 0.14 (MAE, 5.6 ETDRS letters) for injection 2 and R² = 0.11 (MAE, 5.0 ETDRS letters) for injection 3 (P < 0.001 for both).

CONCLUSIONS

Automatic segmentation enables rapid acquisition of quantitative and reproducible OCT biomarkers with potential to inform treatment decisions in the care of neovascular AMD. This furthers development of point-of-care decision-aid systems for personalized medicine.

Reactivation of CNV after Discontinuation of Bevacizumab Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

INTRODUCTION

Treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) has shifted to pro re nata and treat-extend-stop strategies. However, a rational discontinuation strategy is lacking. To develop such a strategy, it is important to determine choroidal neovascularization (CNV) recurrence rates after anti-VEGF treatment is discontinued. Here we report prospective data on persistent and recurrent CNV activity after discontinuation of bevacizumab treatment.

METHODS

This prospective, single-center clinical trial enrolled 191 patients with exudative ARMD. Patients were randomly assigned to receiving intravitreal bevacizumab injections every 4, 6, or 8 weeks for 1 year. CNV activity was determined in the 157 patients who completed the 1-year treatment regimen. Patients with inactive CNV were then followed for signs of CNV reactivation.

RESULTS

After 1 year of treatment, 66 (42%) of the 157 patients still had signs of persistent active CNV. Of the remaining 91 (58%) patients, 61 (67%) needed retreatment for active CNV within the first year after discontinuation of treatment (mean 4.28 ± 0.29 months). CNV was reactivated in 50 (80%) of the 61 patients within 6 months after their final treatment for CNV.

CONCLUSION

Based on quiescent disease, anti-VEGF therapy was discontinued in 58% of the patients after they received bevacizu-mab injections every 4, 6, or 8 weeks for 1 year; 67% showed reactivated CNV within a year after discontinuation. The high reactivation rate of CNV shown in this study should help clinicians to develop rational discontinuation protocols.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study is registered as NTR1174 at http://www.trialregister.nl.

Ziv-aflibercept and bevacizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration: A retrospective comparison of clinical outcomes and cost at 1 year

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare intravitreal ziv-aflibercept (IVZ) monotherapy to intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) monotherapy in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (eAMD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with treatment-naïve eAMD treated with pro re nata (PRN) monotherapy of IVZ (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) or IVB (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were retrospectively analyzed. Study outcomes included change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness, mean number of injections, and total medication cost in both the groups at 12 months.

RESULTS

Forty-seven eyes (IVZ, 18/47 [38.3%] and IVB, 29/47 [61.7%]) from 47 treatment-naive patients were included. The change in BCVA for patients receiving IVZ was from 0.61 ± 0.33 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Snellen 20/81; range: 20/38-20/174) to 0.45 ± 0.31 (Snellen 20/56; range: 20/27-20/115) at 1 year (P = 0.02). The total number of injections needed to achieve the resolution of intraretinal or subretinal fluid was 2.6 ± 1.4 and 3.5 ± 1.3 for IVZ and IVB, respectively (P = 0.029). Direct medication cost of IVZ and IVB in our cohort on PRN basis was an average of US$78 (2.6 × US$30) and US$175 (3.5 × US$50), respectively, through 1 year.

CONCLUSION

IVZ-PRN monotherapy resulted in improved visual acuity, reduced treatment burden, and reduced direct medication cost in comparison to IVB-PRN monotherapy through 1 year.

ANTIVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR DOSING AND EXPECTED ACUITY OUTCOME AT 1 YEAR

PURPOSE

To determine the dose-response characteristics of the antivascular endothelial growth factor agents ranibizumab and aflibercept in neovascular age-related macular degeneration using published randomized trials and observational series.

METHODS

Literature review of published series from 2006 to 2018 as determined from electronic searches of PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Data extracted included treatment strategy, frequency, and first year visual acuity response. Monthly or bimonthly treatment schedules were classified as Fixed, pro re nata studies as PRN, treat and extend as TE, and when no strategy was listed, as Variable.

RESULTS

Of 2062 citations retrieved, 96 were deemed eligible; these 96 citations provided 120 data points of dose frequency versus visual acuity change in Year 1 of treatment. The dose-response curve was nonlinear, but a log transform of the number of injections per year yielded a linear relationship defined by the expression, Letters of Improvement = -6.66 + 15.7*log (number of injections Year 1). After accounting for the number of injections neither the drug used (ranibizumab or aflibercept) nor the strategy used (Fixed, pro re nata, treat and extend, or Variable) were significant predictors of acuity change. As a group, studies using the pro re nata approach had the lowest number of injections and the worst acuity improvements as a treatment strategy.

CONCLUSION

There seems to be a predictable, mathematically defined relationship between dose frequency and visual acuity change at 1 year in neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The performance of current treatment efforts, as suggested by reported series and Medicare claims data, seems to be substandard.

Four-year outcome of aflibercept administration using a treat-and-extend regimen in eyes with recurrent neovascular age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE

To investigate the 4-year outcome of aflibercept treatment using a treat-and-extend (TAE) regimen for recurrent neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

METHODS

Data of eyes with recurrent AMD previously treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents or photodynamic therapy and had started aflibercept treatment using a TAE regimen for the first time were collected. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intervals of treatments, the presence of exudation, central foveal thickness (CFT), and central choroidal thickness (CCT) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 47 consecutive eyes, 30 of the 47 eyes completed a 4-year follow-up. The mean BCVA (logMAR) was sustained over the 4 years (0.37 at baseline, 0.36 at 1 year, 0.36 at 2 years, 0.41 at 3 years, and 0.43 at 4 years, P = 0.21). Of the 30 eyes that completed the follow-up, BCVA of two eyes deteriorated by 0.3 logMAR or more at 4 years. At 4 years, 67% of eyes had extended treatment intervals to > 8 weeks, and 47% of eyes had extended intervals to > 12 weeks. Exudative changes in the macula, seen in all eyes at baseline, were only seen in 50% of the eyes at 4 years. The mean CFT and CCT decreased significantly at 4 years from 332 μm to 248 μm and from 218 μm to 183 μm, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In clinical settings, aflibercept treatment using a TAE regimen may successfully maintain visual acuity for up to 4 years even in recurrent cases of AMD.

Figueroa M, García‐Layana A, Ruiz Moreno JM, Fernandez Rodríguez M, García Arumí J, Amat Peral P, Ascaso Puyuelo J, Armada Maresca F, Cervera Taulet E, Torres Imaz R, Gutierrez Sánchez E, Cordovés Dorta LM, Esteban González E, Velilla Osés S, Abengoechea Hernández S, Ruiz Miguel M, Basauri Rementería E, Caballos Castilla R, Villavilla Castillo J, López Guajardo L, Gallego Pinazo R, Araiz Iribarren JJ, Rodriguez García L, Cabrera López F, López Garrido JA, López‐Herrera ML, Alforja Castiella MS, Ruiz Moreno Ó, Martinez Alday N, Fernández‐Vega Sanz Á, Garcia Campos J. Bimonthly, treat-and-extend and as-needed ranibizumab in naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients: 12-month outcomes of a randomized study

PURPOSE

To assess the noninferiority of the treat-and-extend (T&E) and fixed bimonthly regimens of 0.5 mg intravitreal ranibizumab as compared with the pro re nata (PRN) in naïve patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

METHODS

Phase IV, randomized, 12-month, multicentre trial. Patients aged ≥50 years with nAMD and visual impairment [best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between 23 and 78 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters] were eligible. Patients (one eye per patient) were randomized to bimonthly, n = 103, T&E, n = 99 or PRN, n = 104. Noninferiority was established at five letters ETDRS.

RESULTS

The mean (95% CI) difference in BCVA at 12 months was 7.2 (4.2-10.2), 6.4 (2.9-9.8), and 8.0 (51.1-11.0) in the bimonthly, T&E and PRN, respectively. The bimonthly or T&E regimens were not inferior to the PRN scheme. All regimens were associated with a significant reduction of central subfield thickness and volume. The mean (95% CI) number of injections in the bimonthly regimen (7.6, 7.5-7.7) was similar as compared with the PRN regimen (7.4, 6.7-8.0) (p = 0.159) but lower than in the T&E regimen (9.3, 8.9-9.7) (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

At 12 months, bimonthly and T&E ranibizumab were noninferior to PRN in naïve nAMD.

Treat and extend versus fixed regimen in neovascular age related macular degeneration: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To compare efficacy of treat and extend (T&E) versus fixed regimen treatment protocols in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

METHODS

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing T&E versus fixed regimen protocols for nAMD were systematically searched. Primary outcome was to compare the mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) change in T&E regimen versus fixed regimen. Secondary outcomes were change in the mean optical coherence tomography (OCT) central retinal thickness (CRT) and mean number of injections. Standardized mean difference (SMD) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Random-effect models were used for meta-analyses.

RESULTS

Four RCTs were included, with a total of 649 and 621 eyes in the T&E and fixed regimen cohort at 12 months, and 267 and 249 eyes at 24 months. Pooled analysis of mean BCVA change included all four RCTs at 12 months and two RCTs at 24 months, showing no difference between the two groups (12-month: SMD = 0.08, 95% CI: -0.20 to 0.35, p = 0.55; 24-month: SMD = 0.04, 95% CI: -0.13 to 0.21, p = 0.64). Pooled analysis of OCT CRT change at 12 months included three studies, showing no difference between the two groups (SMD = 0.03, 95% CI: -0.46 to 0.51, p = 0.91). Pooled analysis of mean injection number included all four RCTs at 12 months and two RCTs at 24 months, showing significant difference between the two groups (12-month: SMD = -1.11, 95% CI: -1.67 to -0.56, p < 0.001; 24-month: SMD = -1.34, 95% CI: -1.54 to -1.15, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

A T&E regimen proved as effective as a fixed dosage regimen throughout a 24-month follow-up and with a lower number of injections.

Recent Developments in the Treatment of Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible blindness and visual impairment in individuals over the age of 50 years in western societies. More than 25 million people currently suffer from this illness in the world, with an additional 500 000 every year, approximately. It is a multifactorial ocular disease that affects the maculae due to a late-onset progressive neurodegeneration and dysfunction of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). There are many subtypes of AMD but basically two broad forms: the nonneovascular (dry, nonexudative) and neovascular (wet, exudative). Exudative AMD is the less common form (about 15%) but tends to progress more rapidly. At the moment, wet AMD is treated primarily on the basis of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, which have led to massive improvement in the prognosis of the disease since they were first introduced. This article focuses on the latest treatment approaches to neovascular AMD. An extensive literature review was performed in order to illustrate the effectiveness of current and future anti-VEGF agents as well as the landmark clinical studies that have been carried out to establish these drugs as a gold standard in the therapy of wet AMD.

Fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment in eyes with subretinal hemorrhage secondary to neovascular AMD or PCV: a morphologic predictor associated with poor treatment outcomes

To evaluate the influence of fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment (FVPED) on treatment outcomes in eyes with subretinal hemorrhage secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). This retrospective study included 83 eyes diagnosed with fovea-involving submacular hemorrhage secondary to neovascular AMD or PCV. All the patients were treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. Eyes showing definite FVPED, which involves the subfoveal region, were included in the FVPED group. Eyes without subfoveal PED, shallow irregular PEDs, or serous/hemorrhagic PED were stratified to the non-FVPED group. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at diagnosis, at 3 months, at 12 months, and lesion re-activation after initial treatment were compared between the two groups. The mean size of hemorrhage was 8.6 ± 7.6 disc diameter areas. In the FVPED group, the mean logarithm of minimal angle of resolution BCVA was 1.11 ± 0.49 at diagnosis, 0.89 ± 0.58 at 3 months, and 1.05 ± 0.63 at 12 months. In the non-FVPED group, the values were 0.97 ± 0.56, 0.56 ± 0.55, and 0.45 ± 0.50, respectively. The BCVA at 3 months (P = 0.036) and at 12 months (P < 0.001) was significantly worse in the FVPED group than in the non-FVPED group. In addition, the incidence of lesion reactivation was greater in the FVPED group (83.3%) than in the non-FVPED group (38.5%) (P < 0.001). The presence of subfoveal FVPED was associated with a high incidence of lesion re-activation and poor treatment outcomes in eyes with subretinal hemorrhage. This result suggests that different treatment strategies are needed between eyes with and without FVPED.

The Efficacy of Conbercept in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: A Systematic Review

Methods

Thirty studies with 1308 eyes were identified and included in this study. The primary outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and secondary outcomes were optical coherence tomography characteristics and polyp regression rates. The pooled results were calculated by the random-effect or fixed-effect model according to the heterogeneity of the data.

Results

Despite a large standard deviation in means (SMD) improvement for BCVA and central retinal thickness (CRT) in the conbercept group, there was no statistically significant difference in the other outcomes compared to ranibizumab and aflibercept. However, there was a greater polyp regression rate in the conbercept group at 12 months.

Conclusions

This systematic review indicates that conbercept may achieve similar BCVA and CRT improvements as ranibizumab and aflibercept, with a superior rate of polyp regression at 12 months.

Long-Term Outcomes of Switching from Fixed-Dose to As-Needed Regimen for Treating Submacular Hemorrhage Secondary to Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes in patients with submacular hemorrhage secondary to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) after switching treatment from a fixed-dose to an as-needed regimen. Methods: This retrospective study included 19 patients with submacular hemorrhage secondary to PCV who were treated with fixed-dose intravitreal aflibercept during the first 56 weeks. After 56 weeks, the treatment regimen was switched to an as-needed regimen. The incidence and timing of lesion reactivation during the as-needed phase were evaluated. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline (beginning of the regimen) and the final follow-up were compared. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with lesion reactivation. Results: During the mean follow-up period of 27 ± 7.3 months, lesion reactivation was noted in 10 patients (52.6%; mean time period: 12.2 ± 9.1 months) in the as-needed phase. Reactivations were treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections (mean, 4.1 ± 2.6). The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA was 0.26 ± 0.34 at baseline and 0.31 ± 0.38 at final follow-up (p = 0.212). Deterioration of ≥0.2 logMAR BCVA was noted in two patients (10.5%). In multivariate analysis, large lesion size was closely associated with a high risk of lesion reactivation (p = 0.009). Conclusion: Visual acuity was relatively stable after switching from a fixed-dose to an as-needed regimen, with no definite visual deterioration in the majority of patients. We conclude that patients with large lesions should be carefully monitored when switching to an as-needed regimen.

Correlation between the rate of intravitreal injections, use of aflibercept as a second-line treatment and visual impairment for wet AMD in Finland

PURPOSE

To correlate the rate of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections and the use of aflibercept as a second-line treatment with visual impairment throughout Finland.

METHODS

Information related to anti-VEGF treatment, proportions of bevacizumab and aflibercept and new visual impairments due to wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was gathered from 5 university hospitals and 14 central hospital districts between 2015 and 2017 covering 232 568 injections and 1172 visual impairments.

RESULTS

Between 2015 and 2017, the number of annual total anti-VEGF injections increased from 60 412 to 93 589 (+24.5% annual change) and of aflibercept injections from 8299 to 20 833 (+58.7% annual change). The 3-year average for total anti-VEGF injections ranged from 9.6 to 21.1 (median 13.3) per 1000 citizens between hospital districts and for aflibercept injections from 0.8 to 4.0 (median 1.9). According to the primary protocol for wet AMD, during 2015-2017, the number of total anti-VEGF injections increased from 10.9 to 15.2 per 1000 citizens with the pro re nata (PRN) protocol and from 11.3 to 18.9 with the treat-and-extend regimen (TER). The 3-year average of aflibercept injections as a second-line treatment, but not the total number of anti-VEGF or bevacizumab injections, inversely correlated with new onset visual impairments (R = -0.505, P = 0.027) in the hospital districts. The number of visual impairments did not differ between the hospital districts according to the PRN and TER protocols (1.23 ± 0.41 and 1.14 ± 0.67, respectively, per 1000 citizens aged ≥64 years, P = 0.713).

CONCLUSION

These results emphasize that the use of aflibercept injections as a second-line treatment may decrease new onset visual impairments.

Long-Term Visual Outcomes for a Treat-and-Extend Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor Regimen in Eyes with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Up to Seven-Year Follow-Up

Purpose

To report long-term visual and anatomical outcomes in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with a treat-and-extend regimen (TER) of intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections in real-world settings.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with nAMD treated with a TER of anti-VEGF intravitreal injections by a single retina specialist (GC). Patients with nAMD who had at least one year of follow-up were identified using an electronic database. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, and macular OCT were performed at each visit. Patients received a loading dose of three monthly intravitreal injections and then were treated according to a TER of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and/or aflibercept. The number of injections, BCVA, and central retinal thickness (CRT) were evaluated during the follow-up period.

Results

180 eyes from 180 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 75 ± 9 (range: 51–96). Mean BCVA was 0.77 ± 0.64 LogMAR at baseline, 0.69 ± 0.58 LogMAR (p = 0.0057) after loading phase, 0.64 ± 0.55 LogMAR (p = 0.0001) after 6 months of TER, and 0.76 ± 0.71 LogMAR after 6 years of treatment (n = 32 at year 6). CRT decreased significantly after the loading phase (p = 0.0002). The mean number of intravitreal injections per year was 7.6 during the first three years of treatment and then decreased to 5.9 during year 4 to 7.

Conclusions

This retrospective study of 180 nAMD patients treated with a TER of intravitreal anti-VEGF demonstrates an initial improvement of BCVA after loading phase, followed by long-term visual stabilization for at least six years. These results were obtained with a high number of injections, averaging close to six injections per year during long-term follow-up. In light of the natural evolution of nAMD, these data support the long-term efficacy of this treatment under real-world conditions of heterogeneity of patients and type of anti-VEGF used.

Three-year outcome of aflibercept treatment for Japanese patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Background

To evaluate the three-year outcome after intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods

Forty-nine treatment-naïve nAMD patients (50 eyes) were enrolled in this prospective study. The eyes received IAI at two-month intervals in the first year. The treatment regimen was changed to IAI based on a treat-and-extend approach in the second and third years.

Results

Twenty-nine eyes of 28 patients were successfully followed up over 36 months. The nAMD subtypes included 15 eyes with typical AMD and 14 eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. The number of IAIs performed over the 3 years was 17.2 ± 3.1 (mean ± standard deviation). The mean logMAR, which was 0.42 at baseline, improved to 0.19 (P = 0.001) at 12 months, and 0.26 (P = 0.049) at 36 months. The central retinal thickness (CRT) was 329 ± 120 μm at baseline, 151 ± 38 μm (P < 0.001) at 12 months, and 143 ± 61 μm (P < 0.001) at 36 months. The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was 288 ± 97 μm at baseline, 243 ± 82 μm (P < 0.001) at 12 months, and 208 ± 63 μm (P < 0.01) at 36 months. The changes in logMAR, CRT, and SFCT over the study period did not differ between typical AMD and PCV.

Conclusion

Long-term aflibercept injection can achieve visual improvement and reduce the thickness of the retina and choroid in nAMD. Morphological improvement of these tissues may not be sufficient to sustain earlier visual improvement over the long-term.