Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, for which intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the primary treatment option. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the prioritization of anti-VEGF agents for wet AMD under the National Health Insurance (NHI) Program, and their clinical outcomes.
Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with active choroidal neovascularization caused by AMD, and who met the criteria for reimbursement for anti-VEGF therapy by the NHI program in Taiwan between August 1, 2014 and May 31, 2015, were included in the study. Factors potentially influencing the choice of treatment agent were analyzed, and clinical outcomes were compared between the two different agents and their protocols.
Results: A total of 166 treatment applications in 166 eyes from 159 patients were enrolled in the study. Age, laterality, presence of retinal pigment epithelial detachment, history of hypertension, coronary artery disease, and cerebral vascular accidents were significantly associated with the selection of the anti-VEGF agent. Treatment patterns and clinical outcomes were similar between the patients treated with ranibizumab and those treated with aflibercept. Significantly fewer injections were given during the follow-up period in those treated with aflibercept.
Conclusion: Under the restrictive insurance program in Taiwan, more patients and ophthalmologists chose to treat wet AMD using aflibercept. However, in clinical practice, no significant differences in efficacy or clinical outcomes were found between the patients treated with ranibizumab and those treated with aflibercept.