SINGLE INJECTION RESPONSE TO ANTIVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR AGENTS IN PATIENTS WITH WET AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: Incidence and Characteristics. Issue 9 (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bilgic, Alper; Kodjikian, Laurent; Mathis, Thibaud; Sudhalkar, Aditya A.; Vasavada, Shail A.; Bhojwani, Deepak M.
• Is Part Of: Retina. Volume 41:Issue 9(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: age-related macular degeneration -- antivascular endothelial growth factor agent -- choroidal neovascularisation -- recurrence -- single injection; Retina -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Retinal Diseases; Vitreous Body; 617.735
• DOI: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000003106
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0275-004X

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To determine the incidence of complete resolution of choroidal neovascular membrane-associated exudation with a single antivascular endothelial growth factor injection in treatment-naive wet age-related macular degeneration patients and its associated characteristics. Methods: Retrospective, observational study of naive wet age-related macular degeneration patients who received antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy with ranibizumab/aflibercept and demonstrated complete resolution of retinal exudation with a single injection. Complete resolution was defined as the total disappearance of the intraretinal fluid, cysts, and subretinal fluid and a return of retinal thickness to <250 μ m on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. All relevant data were collected. Follow-up was scheduled on Days 1, 7, and 30 postoperatively and then monthly, with at least 9 visits mandatory per year if the macula remained fluid free. Appropriate statistical analyses were performed. Results: Sixty-three patients (29 men; mean age 67.25 ± 4.40 years) were identified. The mean baseline and final-corrected distance visual acuity was 20/160 and 20/45, respectively. Patients completed a mean of 10.9 follow-up visits per year. Smaller choroidal neovascular membranes (<200 μ m), early presentation, better presenting corrected distance visual acuity, subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes, absence of blood/fibrosis, and use of aflibercept (2 mg) favored resolution with one injection. Conclusion: A subset (13.76%; 63/458, 95% confidence intervals: 10.73–17.25) of patients with treatment-naive wet age-related macular degeneration demonstrates resolution of choroidal neovascular membrane-associated exudation with a single antivascular endothelial growth factor injection, sustained over 2 years or more. This can lower therapy costs, treatments, office visits, and the potential risk of geographic atrophy. Abstract : The study looks at the incidence of complete response to a single injection of an antivascular endothelial growth factor agent in patients with treatment-naive wet age-related macular degeneration and the variables that are associated therewith.