Vision maintained long term in nAMD patients switched to intravitreal aflibercept injections

Patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) initially treated with other anti-VEGF agents who switch to intravitreal aflibercept injections (IAI) can maintain vision over the long term, according to a study.

This study included patients with nAMD who were initially treated with another anti-VEGF agent before being switched to IAI and remained on consisted IAI for ≥3 years with ≥1 injection quarterly. Overall, 88 patients were treated for ≥3 years, of which 58 had at ≥4 years of IAI therapy.

Patients were on other anti-VEGF agents for an average of 32 months before switching to IAI. Baseline best corrected vision (VA) was 59.4 letters (20/70 + 2) which increased significantly to 66.7 letters (20/50 + 2) at the time treatment was switched and increased significantly again to 69.0 (20/40-) letters at 3 months after the treatment was switched.

Patients with 3 years of consistent IAI therapy had VA of 67.5 letters (20/40-2). Patients who complete 4 years of therapy had an average VA of 66.0 letters (20/50 + 2); with a gain of 6.6 letters over baseline vision. Approximately 32% of patients gained ≥3 lines of vision

Central macular thickness (CMT) improved from 369 µm at baseline to 347 µm at the time therapy was switched and 301 µm at 3 months after therapy was switched. CMT was maintained over time.

Reference
Adrean SD, Knight D, Chaili S, et al. Long term results of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration switched from other anti-VEGF agents to intravitreal Aflibercept. Int J Retina Vitreous. 2022;8(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s40942-022-00361-9. PMID: 35144686; PMCID: PMC8832635.