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Aflibercept decreases exudation, does not improve VA in previously treated AMD
Aflibercept decreased exudation in patients with persistent age-related macular degeneration after treatment with other anti-VEGFs, but visual acuity did not improve, according to a study.
The retrospective study included 67 eyes of 63 patients with exudative AMD who were treated with Eylea (aflibercept, Regeneron) for persistent exudation after having received at least three injections of Lucentis (ranibizumab, Genentech) or Avastin (bevacizumab, Genentech).
Prior to transitioning to aflibercept, the number of ranibizumab or bevacizumab injections ranged from three to 38. Patients underwent ranibizumab or bevacizumab injections for an average of 36.3 months before being switched to aflibercept.
The researchers defined clear improvement as a substantial decrease in the amount of retinal thickening, subretinal pigment epithelium fluid and/or subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography.
At final follow-up, exudation resolved completely 24 eyes and clearly improved but did not resolve completely in 17 eyes. Exudation did not improve in 23 eyes and worsened in four eyes.
A significant decrease was seen in mean center-point neurosensory retinal thickness, from 228.6 µm to 176.9 µm, according to the researchers.
Additionally, mean distance from the internal limiting membrane to Bruch’s membrane at the center point also decreased significantly, from 425.1 µm to 324.7 µm.
Snellen visual acuity changed insignificantly between the transition to aflibercept and final follow-up, according to the researchers.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.