Two-year results of a combined regimen of aflibercept treatment in three types of choroidal neovascular membrane in the wet form of age-related macular degeneration: Real-life evidence in the Czech Republic

Managing Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Clinical Practice: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression

The use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents has profoundly changed the prognosis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). As clinical experiences have accumulated, it has become mandatory to summarize data to give information that can be useful in everyday practice. We conducted a systematic review to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that reported 12-month changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in patients with nAMD on anti-VEGF monotherapy. Data were analyzed in a random-effects meta-analysis with BCVA change as the primary outcome. Meta-regression was conducted to evaluate the impact of multiple covariates. Four hundred and twelve heterogeneous study populations (109,666 eyes) were included. Anti-VEGFs induced an overall improvement of +5.37 ETDRS letters at 12 months. Meta-regression showed that mean BCVA change was statistically greater for RCTs (p = 0.0032) in comparison with observational studies. Populations following a proactive regimen had better outcomes than those following a reactive treatment regimen. Mean BCVA change was greater in younger populations, with lower baseline BCVA and treated with a higher number of injections (p < 0.001). Our results confirm that anti-VEGFs may produce a significant functional improvement at 12 months in patients with nAMD.

INTRAVITREAL RANIBIZUMAB IN PREGNANT PATIENT WITH MYOPIC CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULAR MEMBRANE. A CASE REPORT

AIM

To present the case of a patient with myopic choroidal neovascular membrane (mCNV) in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, who was treated with intravitreal ranibizumab.

CASE REPORT

The 34-year-old patient was referred to the Department of Ophthalmology of the University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady in January 2020 for mCNV on her right eye (RE). The patient was in the 34th week of pregnancy. Initial best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 68 ETDRS letters. Spherical equivalent of the RE was -11.5 dioptres, axial length of the RE was 27.7 mm. Pigmented CNV with small haemorrhage was present on the retina of the RE. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the RE showed a hyperreflective mass above the retinal pigment epithelium, central retinal thickness (CRT) was 310 µm. OCT angiography confirmed the presence of a classic CNV in the macula of the RE. Two weeks later, the hyperreflective lesion and oedema in the macula of the RE increased, the CRT was 329 µm, BCVA remained stable. After discussion with the patient and the treating gynaecologist, intravitreal ranibizumab was administered in the RE in the 36th week of pregnancy. On check-up 3 weeks later, we observed the decrease of macular oedema to 276 µm and the improvement of BCVA to 78 ETDRS letters. The patient delivered a healthy baby girl in the 39th week of pregnancy via caesarean section, postnatal adaptation of the newborn was normal. During further visits, the BCVA improved to 83 ETDRS letters and the macular oedema disappeared completely. 8 months after the first ranibizumab injection, the CNV reactivated, BCVA decreased to 72 ETDRS letters, oedema was present in the macula and the CRT was 309 µm. Another ranibizumab was administered into the RE. The patient then discovered that she was pregnant; according to calculations, she was in the 3rd week of pregnancy at the time of the second ranibizumab injection. After the second injection, BCVA improved to 79 ETDRS letters, macular oedema on the OCT disappeared and CRT decreased to 264 µm. The pregnancy was terminated per patients request.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal administration of ranibizumab in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy led to the improvement of BCVA and decrease of macular oedema in the patient with mCNV. The injection had no adverse effect on the pregnancy or the postnatal adaptation of the newborn. However, it is always necessary to consider the risk/benefit ratio when administering intravitreal antiVEGF drugs in pregnant patients. Thorough discussion with the patient is necessary.

[The significance of choroidal neovascularization type in predicting the effectiveness of antiangiogenic therapy]

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is one of the causes of irreversible visual acuity loss. Intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelium growth factor (anti-VEGF agents) have been proved to be an effective treatment of nAMD. Among the topical problems of this type of treatment is the possibility for predicting the response of different types of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) to the anti-VEGF therapy. This article discusses the differences in the dynamics of morphological and functional parameters of various types of neovascular membranes in the process of anti-VEGF therapy.

Asymmetric response to ranibizumab in mixed choroidal neovascularization in a neovascular age-related macular degeneration diagnosed on OCT angiography - case report

Background

To present a case report of a patient with a mixed choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) with an asymmetric response to ranibizumab diagnosed on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTa).

Case presentation

A 61-year-old male was referred to our department in September 2017 due to decreased vision in his left eye. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 43 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters in the left eye. Macular edema was present in the left eye, and a mixed CNV was identified on the OCTa. Therapy with intravitreal ranibizumab was commenced. After 5 ranibizumab injections, the BCVA was 42 ETDRS letters, and considerable intraretinal edema was still present. OCTa showed a resolution of the type 2 lesion of the mixed CNV; however, the type 1 lesion had continued to grow. The patient was then switched to intravitreal aflibercept. After 3 monthly aflibercept injections, the BCVA improved to 53 ETDRS letters, and a reduction of the edema was observed on the optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCTa showed a decrease in both the area and vessel density in the type 1 lesion of the CNV. Therapy with aflibercept was continued; however, while the intraretinal edema continued to improve, atrophy developed in the macula and the BCVA worsened to 43 ETDRS letters.

Conclusions

Ranibizumab nonresponse in a neovascular age-related macular degeneration is not uncommon. However, to our knowledge, this is the first described case of an asymmetric response to ranibizumab in a mixed CNV. While the type 2 lesion of the CNV reacted swiftly to the ranibizumab therapy, the type 1 lesion continued to grow. As with some other cases of ranibizumab resistance, switching to aflibercept proved effective.