Objective: We aimed to compare visual and anatomical outcome in subretinal aflibercept vs. intravitreal aflibercept in the context of Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV), pneumatic displacement with subretinal air and subretinal tPA in patients with naïve submacular haemorrhage (SMH) secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).
Design: Retrospective interventional cohort study.
Participants: 80 patients treated with subretinal aflibercept vs. intravitreal aflibercept in the context of PPV, subretinal air and subretinal tPA in patients with SMH secondary to naïve nAMD.
Methods: Records were reviewed. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfoveal thickness (CST), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were recorded at baseline and 24 months after treatment.
Main outcome measures: BCVA, CST, and number of anti VEGF treatment over follow-up period.
Results: The average duration from onset of symptoms to surgery was 1.26 days (range 0-3 days). Based on review of OCT images, SMH was subretinal in all 80 patients (100%), and sub-RPE in 29 patients (36.3%). Forty-one patients (51.25%) were treated with subretinal aflibercept ("subretinal group"), and 39 patients (48.75%) were treated with intravitreal aflibercept injections ("intravitreal group"). The groups were well balanced for age and gender p = 0.6588, and p = 0.263, respectively). Both groups showed statistically significant improvement in BCVA and CST (for all groups: p < 0.001). The mean number of anti VEGF given during follow-up period was statistically significantly lower in the "subretinal group" (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion: This study shows better management of the CNV, with a statistically significant lower need for anti-VEGF injections when treated with subretinal aflibercept compared to intravitreal application.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.