A Prospective Review of Patients Receiving Intravitreal Anti-VEGF: How are we doing during the SARS-Cov-2 Pandemic?

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wong YL ◽  
◽  
Rattanasirivilai P ◽  
Tan TK ◽  
Abugreen S ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Macular Oedema ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Asian Ethnicity ◽  
Severe Visual Loss ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Wet Amd

Objective: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, service provision of Anti- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (anti-VEGF) therapy is continued to prevent severe visual loss. As the majority of the patients requiring intravitreal anti- VEGF are elderly and vulnerable, we aim to assess the safety and efficacy of the delivery of anti-VEGF therapy. Method: A prospective data collection of 337 patients who attended the nurse led injection clinics in the UK during the lockdown period from 30 March 2020 to 1 June 2020. A follow up of all of the attended patients was conducted to assess for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Results: 182 (54%) were female and 155 (46%) male. Majority (95%) were Caucasian and 5% were Asian ethnicity. The indication for anti-VEGF injection include wet age related macular degeneration (wet AMD) (70.9%), Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO) (17.2%), and Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) (11.9%). Mean age was 78.84±9.76 for wet AMD, 67.63±3.26 for RVO and 59.28±14.54 for DMO. More wet AMD patients reported subjective deterioration of vision compared to RVO and DMO (40.2% vs. 37.5% vs. 22.4%) [P=0.04]. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is more common in the wet AMD group as compared to other groups (P=0.03). Five patients from the study group were tested for SARS-CoV-2, none were positive. Conclusion: Delivery of anti-VEGF therapy is safe with the current precautionary measures despite caring for a vulnerable group of patients. Majority of the wet AMD patients are continuing to attend intravitreal injection appointments.

scholarly journals Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Anti-VEGF Treatment of Medical Retinal Conditions

The Physician ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Mana Rahimzadeh ◽  
Ramu Muniraju ◽  
Shahrnaz Izadi
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Total Duration ◽  
Diabetic Macular Oedema ◽  
District General Hospital ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Intravitreal Injections ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Uk

Introduction: Ophthalmology services have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Frequency of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (Anti-VEGF) injections are important in visual outcomes. Methods: We conducted an audit on intravitreal services in an NHS district general hospital in the UK including all new patients with diabetic macular oedema (CI-DMO) and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who were initiated on intravitreal injection of Aflibercept (EYLEA) between 1st January to 15th July 2020, and had subsequent injections until October 2020. Data on injection dates and visual acuity was extracted, and the total number of all intravitreal injections for all indications between January to September 2020 and the same period in 2019. Delay to treatment was defined as more than 14 days, according to the fixed dosing schedule. Results: We found 31% (n=17) of patients initiated on treatment for wet AMD and 44% (N=11) for CI-DMO had delayed injections.  There was no correlation between total duration of delay and change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Similarly, we found no association between duration of delay and change in BCVA. The number of intravitreal injections declined during the COVID-19 pandemic by 17.8% compared to 2019. Conclusion: Majority of patients initiated on anti-VEGF injections just before the pandemic or during the pandemic received injections on time. Where there were significant delays to treatment, there was no detected loss in vision over the short term. However, the long-term impact and impact of overall reduction in intravitreal injections are unknown.

Safety and efficacy of nurse led intravitreal injection service with Precivia® injection assist device

2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110609
Author(s):  
Ibrar Ahmed ◽  
Panayiotis Maghsoudlou ◽  
Hani Hasan ◽  
Allaaeldin Abumattar ◽  
Nimish Shah
Keyword(s):  
Intravitreal Injection ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Intravitreal Injections ◽  
Annual Number ◽  
Assist Device ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Safe Delivery ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Uk

Introduction Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections are the most frequently performed outpatient procedure in the UK. Ophthalmic allied healthcare professionals are replacing medical professionals in delivering injections nationwide. The use of injection assist devices such as Precivia® has been well established and increasingly adopted to aid in their safe delivery. We present outcomes of nurse-led intravitreal injections using the Precivia® injection assist device over a five-year period in the UK. Methods A retrospective review was completed of all anti-VEGF intravitreal injections delivered at the Great Western Hospital between May 2015 and May 2020. Results Over the five-year study period, 2318 patients underwent a total of 26,923 intravitreal injections; 20,421 (75.8%) of which were delivered by appropriately trained ophthalmic nurses. The annual number of injections increased year-on-year from 2112 injections in 2015-2016 to 5410 injections in 2019-2020. The mean age of patients was 75.7±12.2 years with a female-to-male ratio was 1.17:1. Wet age-related macular degeneration represented the major indication for injections followed by retinal vein occlusion and diabetic maculopathy respectively. Three cases of post-injection endophthalmitis out of 20,421 (0.015%) injections in nurse injection group were identified during the study period. There were no cases of lens touch, retinal detachment or systemic thromboembolic events. Conclusion Use of the Precivia® intravitreal injection assist device by trained ophthalmic allied health professionals is a safe and cost-effective way to deliver intravitreal injections service.

scholarly journals Emerging Therapies for Wet-Form (Neovascular) Age-Related Macular Degeneration

2017 ◽  
pp. 235-240
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Vegf Inhibitors ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Emerging Therapies ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Wet Amd

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of permanent visual loss in persons over 65 years of age in developed countries. Currently, intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors are the mainstay of the treatment for patients with wet AMD. Despite significant improvements in visual acuity since the beginning of these therapies, challenges in the treatment of wet AMD are still present. Therefore, there are ongoing researches such as sustained-release anti-VEGF therapy, novel generation anti-VEGF agents, viral vectors to modify genetic transcription, and combination therapies. In this review, it is aimed to discuss these emerging therapies.

Fellow-Eye Conversion and Treatment in Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 438-444
Author(s):  
Eliot R. Dow ◽  
Jennifer O. Adeghate ◽  
Peter G. Coombs ◽  
Mrinali Gupta Patel ◽  
Donald J. D’Amico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Initial Diagnosis ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Fellow Eye ◽  
Visual Outcomes ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Wet Amd ◽  
Fellow Eyes

Purpose: This article assesses anatomical and visual outcomes after intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment in fellow eyes with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 349 patients diagnosed with wet AMD between 2005 and 2017 at a single academic institution. Initial diagnosis of unilateral wet AMD and a minimum follow-up time of 1 year after diagnosis were required for inclusion. Individuals were excluded if the initial diagnosis of wet AMD was made at an outside institution, if they had received prior treatment at another institution, or if they had bilateral wet AMD at the time of inclusion. Best-corrected visual acuity, optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters, and frequency and type of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections were recorded. MedCalc Statistical Software version 17.6 (MedCalc Software) and GraphPad Software (GraphPad Software, Inc) were used for statistical analysis. Results: Of the 349 patients with wet AMD, 192 were included in the study (55%). Of these, 47 (24.5%) developed wet AMD in the fellow eye. The average time to second-eye conversion was 2.6 years, with fellow-eye conversion more likely to occur after 2 years of unilateral disease. On average, patients received 2.16 fewer injections per year in the fellow eye compared with the initially diagnosed eye ( P = .03), and fellow eyes tended to have better OCT results after 12 months of treatment. In addition, compared with ranibizumab and bevacizumab, aflibercept injections appeared to improve visual acuity both in initially diagnosed and fellow eyes. Conclusions: Exudative AMD in the fellow eye has a decreased treatment burden and better visual outcomes compared with the initial eye, which may be attributed to more frequent surveillance and early diagnosis.

scholarly journals Autophagy Dysfunction, Cellular Senescence, and Abnormal Immune-Inflammatory Responses in AMD: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Potential

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shoubi Wang ◽  
Xiaoran Wang ◽  
Yaqi Cheng ◽  
Weijie Ouyang ◽  
Xuan Sang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Senescence ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Wet Amd

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a blinding disease caused by multiple factors and is the primary cause of vision loss in the elderly. The morbidity of AMD increases every year. Currently, there is no effective treatment option for AMD. Intravitreal injection of antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) is currently the most widely used therapy, but it only aims at neovascularization, which is an intermediate pathological phenomenon of wet AMD, not at the etiological treatment. Anti-VEGF therapy can only temporarily delay the degeneration process of wet AMD, and AMD is easy to relapse after drug withdrawal. Therefore, it is urgent to deepen our understanding of the pathophysiological processes underlying AMD and to identify integrated or new strategies for AMD prevention and treatment. Recent studies have found that autophagy dysfunction in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, cellular senescence, and abnormal immune-inflammatory responses play key roles in the pathogenesis of AMD. For many age-related diseases, the main focus is currently the clearing of senescent cells (SNCs) as an antiaging treatment, thereby delaying diseases. However, in AMD, there is no relevant antiaging application. This review will discuss the pathogenesis of AMD and how interactions among RPE autophagy dysfunction, cellular senescence, and abnormal immune-inflammatory responses are involved in AMD, and it will summarize the three antiaging strategies that have been developed, with the aim of providing important information for the integrated prevention and treatment of AMD and laying the ground work for the application of antiaging strategies in AMD treatment.

scholarly journals Blockade of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha: A Role for Adalimumab in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Refractory to Anti-Angiogenesis Therapy

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Fernández-Vega ◽  
Álvaro Fernández-Vega ◽  
Carlos Mario Rangel ◽  
Javier Nicieza ◽  
Eva Villota-Deleu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Necrosis Factor ◽  
Tumor Necrosis ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Factor Alpha ◽  
Necrosis Factor ◽  
Wet Amd

Aims: To report a case of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet-AMD) refractory to intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy in a patient who showed visual and anatomical improvement and stabilization after starting a subcutaneous treatment course with adalimumab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) drug, for concomitant Crohn's disease. Methods: Observational case report of a female patient. Ophthalmological evaluation was performed by slit lamp and ophthalmoscopy (posterior pole and anterior segment). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was determined, and imaging was performed by fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Intravitreal therapies used and treatment with anti-TNF-α were recorded. Results: A 64-year-old woman with wet-AMD was treated with fourteen intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (0.5 mg) for a period of 40 months with intervals of 1-6 months. She initially showed a good visual and anatomical response to periodic anti-VEGF treatment but during check visits, anatomical and functional responses deteriorated. At the 40-month follow-up, the patient had developed Crohn's disease, and her rheumatologist started treatment with adalimumab (40 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks). During the 25 months of treatment with adalimumab, the patient did not require any additional intravitreal anti-VEGF treatments because her BCVA, clinical, and OCT findings improved and remained stable. Conclusions: We described a case of a patient with wet-AMD refractory to anti-VEGF therapy, which clinically benefited from subcutaneous adalimumab therapy. Treatment with subcutaneous anti-TNF-α in combination with anti-VEGF therapy avoids the high cost and risks related to multiple intravitreal anti-VEGF injections with good functional and anatomic outcomes.

Automated quantification of macular fluid in retinal diseases and their response to anti-VEGF therapy

2020 ◽  
pp. bjophthalmol-2020-317416
Author(s):  
Martin Michl ◽  
Maria Fabianska ◽  
Philipp Seeböck ◽  
Amir Sadeghipour ◽  
Bilal Haj Najeeb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Learning Algorithm ◽  
Subretinal Fluid ◽  
Diabetic Macular Oedema ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Deep Learning Algorithm ◽  
Vein Occlusion ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Automated Quantification ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

AimTo objectively assess disease activity and treatment response in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO), neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and centre-involved diabetic macular oedema (DME), using artificial intelligence–based fluid quantification.MethodsPosthoc analysis of 2311 patients (11 151 spectral-domain optical coherence tomography volumes) from five clinical, multicentre trials, who received a flexible antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy over a 12-month period. Fluid volumes were measured with a deep learning algorithm at baseline/months 1, 2, 3 and 12, for three concentric circles with diameters of 1, 3 and 6 mm (fovea, paracentral ring and pericentral ring), as well as four sectors surrounding the fovea (superior, nasal, inferior and temporal).ResultsIn each disease, at every timepoint, most intraretinal fluid (IRF) per square millimetre was present at the fovea, followed by the paracentral ring and pericentral ring (p<0.0001). While this was also the case for subretinal fluid (SRF) in RVO/DME (p<0.0001), patients with nAMD showed more SRF in the paracentral ring than at the fovea up to month 3 (p<0.0001). Between sectors, patients with RVO/DME showed the highest IRF volumes temporally (p<0.001/p<0.0001). In each disease, more SRF was consistently found inferiorly than superiorly (p<0.02). At month 1/12, we measured the following median reductions of initial fluid volumes. For IRF: RVO, 95.9%/97.7%; nAMD, 91.3%/92.8%; DME, 37.3%/69.9%. For SRF: RVO, 94.7%/97.5%; nAMD, 98.4%/99.8%; DME, 86.3%/97.5%.ConclusionFully automated localisation and quantification of IRF/SRF over time shed light on the fluid dynamics in each disease. There is a specific anatomical response of IRF/SRF to anti-VEGF therapy in all diseases studied.

scholarly journals Anti-VEGF Treatment Strategies for Wet AMD

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaclyn L. Kovach ◽  
Stephen G. Schwartz ◽  
Harry W. Flynn ◽  
Ingrid U. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Evidence Based Treatment ◽  
The Past ◽  
Time Treatment ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Monthly Dosing ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Wet Amd

Over the past few years, antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy has become a standard treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). During this time, treatment strategies have evolved from a monthly dosing schedule to individualized regimens. This paper will review the currently available anti-VEGF agents and evidence-based treatment strategies.

scholarly journals Modulated anti-VEGF therapy under the influence of lipid metabolizing proteins in Age related macular degeneration: a pilot study

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaushal Sharma ◽  
Priya Battu ◽  
Ramandeep Singh ◽  
Suresh Kumar Sharma ◽  
Akshay Anand
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Retinal Disease ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Clinical Images ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Wet Amd ◽  
Group 1

AbstractAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a devastating retinal disease that results in irreversible vision loss in the aged population. The complex genetic nature and degree of genetic penetrance require a redefinition of the current therapeutic strategy for AMD. We aimed to investigate the role of modifiers for current anti-VEGF therapy especially for non-responder AMD patients. We recruited 78 wet AMD cases (out of 278 AMD patients) with their socio-demographic and treatment regimen. Serum protein levels were estimated by ELISA in AMD patients. Data pertaining to the number of anti-VEGF injections given (in 1 year) along with clinical images (FFA and OCT) of AMD patients were also included. Visual acuity data (logMAR) for 46 wet AMD cases out of a total of 78 patients were also retrieved to examine the response of anti-VEGF injections in wet AMD cases. Lipid metabolizing genes (LIPC and APOE) have been identified as chief biomarkers for anti-VEGF response in AMD patients. Both genotypes ‘CC’ and ‘GC’ of LIPC have found to be associated with a number of anti-VEGF injections in AMD patients which could influence the expression of B3GALTL,HTRA1, IER3, LIPC and SLC16A8 proteins in patients bearing both genotypes as compared to reference genotype. Elevated levels of APOE were also observed in group 2 wet AMD patients as compared to group 1 suggesting the significance of APOE levels in anti-VEGF response. The genotype of B3GALTL has also been shown to have a significant association with the number of anti-VEGF injections. Moreover, visual acuity of group 1 (≤ 4 anti-VEGF injections/year) AMD patients was found significantly improved after 3 doses of anti-VEGF injections and maintained longitudinally as compared to groups 2 and 3. Lipid metabolising genes may impact the outcome of anti-VEGF AMD treatment.

scholarly journals Treatments for Age-related Macular Degeneration

2010 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Winfried MK Amoaku ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Intravitreal Injections ◽  
Neovascular Amd ◽  
Fundus Fluorescein Angiography ◽  
Visual Rehabilitation ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Wet Amd

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible visual loss in the developed world. There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but is thought to result from interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Smoking, hypertension and low intake and/or low levels of serum antioxidants are known risk factors for both forms. As yet there are no treatments available for the dry form of AMD. Smoking cessation and healthy lifestyles are important in the prevention of progression of AMD. Progression of early stages of AMD to advanced forms is slowed by regular intake of ocular nutritional supplements as found in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) Study. Recently, there have been significant breakthroughs in the treatment of wet or neovascular AMD, including photodynamic therapy (PDT), intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs, including pegaptanib, ranibizumab and bevacizumab. Newer agents including aflibercept and anti-platelet-derived growth factor (anti-PDGF) compounds are under investigation. The current gold standard for treatment of wet AMD is intravitreal injections of ranibizumab. Combination therapy with PDT and anti-VEGF agents is useful especially in idiopathic polypoidal choroidopathy (IPCV) or when anti-VEGF monotherapy has failed. Rapid referral of patients with neovascular AMD is important as the visual outcome is dependent on the visual acuity at treatment. Diagnostic confirmation with retinal imaging, particularly fundus fluorescein angiography and optical coherent tomography, are required before treatment commencement. The new treatments for wet AMD are repetitive, and have significant service implications. These implications occur irrespective of which anti- VEGF agent is adopted. Visual rehabilitation is still important in the management of AMD.

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