One-Year Outcomes of a Treat-and-Extend Regimen of Aflibercept for Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Ophthalmologica. 2017;237(3):139-144. doi: 10.1159/000458538. Epub 2017 Mar 4.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the 1-year outcomes of treat-and-extend aflibercept for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Japan.

Procedures: Clinical records of 67 patients (67 eyes) were reviewed. Monthly aflibercept was administered until resolution of exudation and maximal reduction of pigment epithelial detachment. Injection intervals were extended by 2-week units up to 12 weeks if no exudation was observed and shortened for recurrence.

Results: Mean best-corrected visual acuity (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) improved from 0.29 to 0.14 at 12 months (p < 0.0001). Mean central retinal thickness decreased from 430 μm to 236 μm at 12 months (p < 0.0001). Fifty-nine eyes (88.0%) achieved a dry macula with a mean of 8.3 injections by study end. The injection interval was extended to 10 weeks in 44.8% and to 12 weeks in 17.9% of eyes.

Conclusions: At 1 year, good outcomes were obtained using treat-and-extend aflibercept for exudative AMD in Japan.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / administration & dosage*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Visual Acuity*
  • Wet Macular Degeneration / diagnosis
  • Wet Macular Degeneration / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • aflibercept
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor