scholarly journals One-year Outcomes of a Treat-and-extend of Ranibizumab for Naive Exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration: Retrospective Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
pp. 939-947
Author(s):  
Young-Je Choi ◽  
Woong-Sun Yoo ◽  
Yong-Wun Cho ◽  
Yu-Jin Choi ◽  
In Young Chung

Purpose: This study investigated the 1-year outcomes of a treat-and-extend regimen of ranibizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration and examined the clinical results when drug treatment was changed within the same period. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 32 eyes first diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration and treated for more than 1 year with a treat-and-extend regimen of ranibizumab, as well as 24 eyes treated by changing from ranibizumab to aflibercept within the same period. The injection number, maximum injection interval, change in central retinal thickness, and best-corrected visual acuity were assessed in all eyes. Results: In 32 eyes that received a treat-and-extend regimen of ranibizumab, the mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 59.46 ± 15.13 to 68.00 ± 12.48 at 12 months (p < 0.0001). The mean central retinal thickness decreased from 409 ± 141 μm to 273 ± 89 μm at 12 months (p < 0.0001). The average number of injections per year was 7.2 ± 0.85. One complication related to the 12 months of injections was a tear in the retinal pigment epithelium; no systemic complications were observed. Of 24 eyes that underwent a change in medication, the rate of maintenance or improvement in initial visual acuity was 83% (10 eyes). The central retinal thickness was initially 371.58 ± 109.96 μm, but improved to 290.33 ± 58.66 μm in 12 eyes that received three injections of aflibercept. Conclusions: At 1 year, good outcomes were obtained using treat-and-extend ranibizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration. When the treatment was changed to aflibercept within the same period, vision was often maintained and short-term anatomical improvement was evident.

Author(s):  
Katarzyna Michalska-Małecka ◽  
Dorota Śpiewak ◽  
Dorota Luksa

The purpose of the study was to evaluate changes in best corrected visual acuity, central retinal thickness, area and flow in the neovascular membrane and to compare therapeutic outcomes from baseline in patients who received three doses of Beovu (brolucizumab) at three-month follow-up. Material and methods: A prospective observational study conducted at the Prof. K. Gibiński University Clinical Center of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice. Eight patients with exudative form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were observed. Results: The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) outcome increased with each subsequent visit. The mean central retinal thickness (CRT) result also improved (decreased) with each subsequent visit, except for the last measurement. A statistically significant change in neovascular membrane area was observed after the first injection. In further treatment, the membrane area underwent changes that were not statistically significant. A statistically significant change in neovascular membrane flow was demonstrated after the first and second injections. Discussion: Our study confirmed the efficacy of brolucizumab in the treatment of patients with exudative AMD in terms of improvements in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), neovascular membrane area, and neovascular membrane flow area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-173
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Wichrowska ◽  
Jarosław Kocięcki ◽  
Wojciech Suda

Introduction: Aflibercept and ranibizumab have become the most used drugs in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. Some patients; however, do not respond to aflibercept and ranibizumab treatment. Our aim was to determine whether the switch from aflibercept to ranibizumab, and then switchback, is effective in a group of patients poorly responding to aflibercept. We assessed best corrected visual acuity, central retinal thickness, and the presence of intra- and subretinal fluid (respectively). Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective comparative case series study. Twenty eyes of 20 patients, who had no inhibition of disease activity after at least one year of treatment with aflibercept, were included in the study. If after switch to ranibizumab the response to the drug was again inadequate, we returned to aflibercept. We divided the study population into two groups: treatment- naïve and patients who had received injections before entering the Drug Program for the Treatment of Age-Related Exudative Macular Degeneration. Results: We observed an improvement in both best corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness parameters, but only in the treatment-naïve group. We did not observe any statistically credible effects for sub- and intraretinal fluid in the studied groups. Conclusions: Drug conversion may be beneficial for patients poorly responding to primary therapy. Greater improvement is seen in previously untreated patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 543-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne Fulcher ◽  
Charlotte A Hazel ◽  
Ian Pacey ◽  
Hasan Ali ◽  
Faruque D Ghanchi

Background/objectives: There is a significant variation in the way neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients respond to anti–vascular endothelial growth factor treatment. Both the financial and time cost of treatment are significant. As such, being able to predict patient response to treatment is valuable. Subjects/methods: 72 eyes treated with intravitreal aflibercept were retrospectively included in analysis. For each subject, visual acuity (letters) and central retinal thickness (µm) at baseline, second, third and fourth visits, as well as 12-month visits, were collated; a plot of visual acuity versus time was generated and a slope of the first three (slope3) and first four (slope4) visits was calculated. Differences in visual acuity at each visit compared to baseline were determined, as well as percentage differences in central retinal thickness at each visit compared to baseline. Lesion sub-type and the presence of fluid and haemorrhage were also recorded. Results: The average change in visual acuity over 12 months was +3.2 ± 13.4 letters with 91.2% of patients losing <15 letters. Slope4 was the only significant predictive factor for ‘visual acuity change over 12 months’ ( p < 0.001). Change in central retinal thickness, lesion sub-type, haemorrhage at baseline and the location of fluid at baseline were not useful predictive factors in long-term outcome. Conclusion: Aflibercept is an effective treatment option for neovascular age-related macular degeneration; however, the long-term response should not be predicted until at least three loading dose injections have been given. Visual acuity measures at each visit should be examined, as it is the trend in visual acuity across the first four visits (slope4) rather than the difference in visual acuity between two visits that is the predictive factor.


2020 ◽  
pp. 112067212096874
Author(s):  
María Cinta Puell ◽  
Francisco Javier Hurtado-Ceña ◽  
María Jesús Pérez-Carrasco ◽  
Inés Contreras

Purpose/Aim: To examine whether central retinal thickness (CRT) is related to mesopic visual acuity (VA) and low luminance deficit (LLD, difference between photopic and mesopic VA) in eyes with early and intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 50 pseudophakic subjects older than 63 years were divided into three groups (no AMD, early AMD and intermediate AMD). Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used to measure CRT in the 1 mm-central-area. Best-corrected distance VA was measured under photopic or mesopic luminance conditions and LLD calculated. Subjects were stratified by VA impairment to compare CRTs across these groups. Relationships were examined by stepwise multiple linear regression. Results: No significant differences in mean CRT, photopic and mesopic VA or LLD were detected between the groups no AMD, early AMD and intermediate AMD. However, mean CRTs were 20 microns and 18 microns thicker in the eyes with impaired mesopic VA (> 0.3 logMAR) and impaired LLD (⩾ 0.3 logMAR) compared to the eyes with non-impaired VA or LLD respectively (both p < 0.01). CRT and mesopic pupil size were independent predictors of mesopic VA ( p  = 0.001). CRT emerged as the only independent predictor of LLD ( p  = 0.004). Conclusions: Increased CRT was linked to worse retinal function when measured under mesopic conditions in eyes without AMD and eyes with early to intermediate AMD. SD-OCT imaging combined with VA measurements under low luminance conditions could be a useful tool to detect early AMD.


2019 ◽  
pp. 112067211988360
Author(s):  
Tomas Bro ◽  
Staffan Hägg

Purpose: To examine the clinical effects of switching intravitreal drug treatment from the approved vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, ranibizumab and aflibercept, to off label use of bevacizumab in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration. Methods: This retrospective study scrutinized medical records of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration who switched therapy to bevacizumab due to a policy decision. Best corrected visual acuity, central retinal thickness, and number of injections before and 1 year after the switch was compared. The non-inferiority margin of best corrected visual acuity was five Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters. Results: A switch from ranibizumab was evaluable in 93 eyes and from aflibercept in 19 eyes. Neither of the groups had a significant non-inferior visual acuity 16 month after the switch. Mean best corrected visual acuity in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters was 63.8 (95% confidence interval: 61.3–66.4) before and 62.2 (95% confidence interval: 59.3–65.1) after in the ranibizumab group and 68.2 (95% confidence interval: 63.3–73.1) before and 67.7 (95% confidence interval: 62.8–72.6) after in the aflibercept group. Mean central retinal thickness in micrometers decreased from 254 (95% confidence interval: 247–261) to 250 (95% confidence interval: 225–275) in the ranibizumab group and from 265 (95% confidence interval: 255–276) to 262 (95% confidence interval: 251–273) in the aflibercept group. The treatment was changed again after the switch in 18% of the patients in the ranibizumab group and 19% in the aflibercept group and these subjects were excluded from the analyses. Conclusion: In patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, a switch from ranibizumab or aflibercept to bevacizumab seems possible without a significant decrease in visual acuity in most patients.


2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
Yuriy Sergeyevich Astakhov ◽  
Nikita Yur’yevich Dal’ ◽  
Natal’ya Viktorovna Chistyakova

Many patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) also have a cataract in the same eye. Because there is a theoretical risk of progression of the degenerative processes in the macular area after surgical lens removal, this raises some ethical, clinical and economical questions for ophthalmologists. The purpose of the study was to compare the course of wet AMD in eyes with incipient cataract and the course in eyes after surgical cataract removal. Materials and methods: 135 eyes with wet AMD, 48 eyes - treated group - were subjects to phacoemulsification during the study, 87 eyes - control group - with incipient cataract without indications for surgery. Regular visits every 1.5 months during 2 years of follow-up with visual acuity testing, central retinal thickness analysis by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Anti-VEGF injections were performed according to a PRN regimen. Results: there was no statistically significant difference in visual acuity, central retinal thickness, intravitreal injection frequency between both groups during the study period. Conclusions: No influence of phacoemulsification on the wet AMD course was found.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Yingyi Lu ◽  
Jianfeng Huang ◽  
Jing Zhao ◽  
Xiaobing Yu ◽  
Li Long ◽  
...  

Purpose. To observe the effect of intravitreal ranibizumab injection on wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) over 5 years in Chinese patients. Methods. Thirty-seven patients who were diagnosed with wAMD in our hospital from June 2007 to June 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The PRN regimen and the treatment and extend regimen were applied. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), number of ranibizumab injections, and changes in the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) lesion over 5 years were analyzed. Results. The mean BCVA measured by the ETDRS chart at baseline was 47.4 and 5 years after the treatment it was 34.89 letters, which was significantly different (p=0.013). Fourteen eyes (37.8%) had improved visual acuity after 5 years. The number of injections in 5 years was 11.53, and most of the injections were in the first two years. Seventeen (45.9%) cases developed fibrous lesions, and 2 (5.4%) cases had atrophic lesions after 5 years. The fibrosis/atrophy was significantly correlated with the injection numbers (Pearson, r=0.663, and p=0.000). Conclusion. Most of the patients can maintain visual acuity treated by ranibizumab in the first 3 years. After 5 years, some patients can still improve or maintain visual acuity. Fibrous scarring of the lesion is the main reason for a decrease in vision of wAMD patients.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Griffin ◽  
Preston P. Richmond ◽  
John C. Olson

Purpose. To assess whether intravitreal aflibercept (2.0 mg) can effectively reduce persistent macular exudate and enhance visual acuity in ranibizumab (0.5 mg) and/or bevacizumab (1.25 mg) treatment resistant patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.Methods. This retrospective study included 47 treatment resistant eyes from 47 patients switched to intravitreal aflibercept injections after receiving a minimum of 3 injections with either ranibizumab or bevacizumab. Snellen visual acuity and optical coherence tomography were assessed just prior to the first injection (baseline) and prior to the fourth injection (final). Additionally, anatomical regions of persistent macular exudate were tracked to determine if these areas yielded varying responses to aflibercept.Results. At baseline, patients had received an average of 11.3 injections with any prior anti-VEGF drug (SD 5.96). For whole group analysis, baseline and final central retinal thickness were 370.57 µm and 295.7 µm (P≤.001), respectively. Baseline and final retinal fluid volumes were 4.81 mm3and 4.37 mm3(P≤.001), respectively. Baseline and final logMAR were 0.56 and 0.53 (P=0.301), respectively. Anatomic location of persistent exudate did not appreciably alter treatment outcome.Conclusion. Central retinal thickness and total retinal fluid volume were reduced in ranibizumab and/or bevacizumab treatment resistant patients following three aflibercept injections. No appreciable change in visual acuity was noted.


2020 ◽  
pp. 90-96
Author(s):  
Darina Aleksandrovna Konovalova

Age−related macular degeneration is a threatening pathology, gradually leading to a complete loss of central vision, which adversely affects an individual physically and emotionally as well as socially, reducing the life quality of such patients. To analyze the anatomical and functional results of intravitreal injections of aflibercept in the patients with exudative age−related macular degeneration, 47 patients a were prospectively studied. Intravitreal injections of aflibercept were performed by the same surgeon under aseptic operating conditions at a dosage of 2 mg, which was 0.05 ml of the drug. All patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, which included visometry, autoceratorefractometry, tonometry, biomicroscopy, and ophthalmoscopy under medical mydriasis, as well as optical coherence tomography. The study took place before the intravitreal administration of aflibercept, one month after each of the three loading injections, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively, after the start of treatment, and 4 weeks after the fourth injection, which was performed 8 weeks after the third loading. The total follow−up period was 24 weeks. For assessing the anatomical and functional efficiency of the treatment the changes in visual acuity, which were adjusted as well as those in the central retinal thickness according to optical coherence tomography were accepted as the criteria. The treatment results showed a significant increase in visual acuity of patients with the most significant increase in the index at week 12 from the beginning of therapy, as well as to a statistically significant decrease in the central retinal thickness within six months of observation. It is obvious that a consistent use of this drug is necessary to achieve stable treatment results. Key words: exudative age−related macular degeneration, visual acuity, central retinal thickness, intravitreal antiangiogenic therapy.


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