As-needed aflibercept resolves persistent, recurrent fluid in eyes with neovascular AMD

Issue: October 25, 2016

As-needed aflibercept injections improved anatomic outcomes in eyes with recurrent or persistent retinal fluid associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, a study found.

The retrospective study included 81 eyes of 78 patients with persistent or multiple recurrences of intraretinal or subretinal fluid while receiving monthly injections of Avastin (bevacizumab, Genentech) or Lucentis (ranibizumab, Genentech). Forty-five eyes had persistent fluid, and 36 eyes had multiple recurrences of fluid.

Patients were switched to as-needed 2 mg/0.05 cc injections of Eylea (aflibercept, Regeneron) every 8 weeks until fluid was resolved. They were monitored with spectral-domain OCT every 8 weeks and re-treated as necessary.

Maximum retinal thickness, central macular thickness, maximum pigment epithelial detachment height, maximum fluid height and visual acuity were evaluated at all time points. Median follow-up was 24.12 months.

All anatomic endpoints improved significantly after three aflibercept injections (P < .05).

Mean central macular thickness decreased significantly at all visits except month 11 in the multiple recurrence group and month 5 in the persistent group.

More frequent injections were required in 37 eyes (45.6%) at a median of 37 weeks to control retinal fluid. Retinal dryness on at least one follow-up visit was achieved in 71 of 81 eyes (87.7%).

While anatomic gains were maintained during the study period, no significant improvements in visual acuity occurred. – by Matt Hasson

Disclosure: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.

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Source:

Muftuoglu IK, et al. Am J Ophthalmol. 2016;doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2016.03.038.