Efficacy of Three Aflibercept Injections for Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration Showing Limited Response to Ranibizumab.
10.3341/jkos.2017.58.1.62
- Author:
Kyung Min KIM
1
;
Jae Hui KIM
;
Young Suk CHANG
;
Jong Woo KIM
;
Chul Gu KIM
;
Dong Won LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Kim's Eye Hospital, Konyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. kjh7997@daum.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Aflibercept;
Age-related macular degeneration;
Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor;
Ranibizumab
- MeSH:
Diagnosis;
Macular Degeneration*;
Ranibizumab*;
Retinaldehyde;
Visual Acuity
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2017;58(1):62-68
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of 3 bimonthly aflibercept injections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that showed limited response to 3 initial ranibizumab injections. METHODS: Three bimonthly aflibercept injections were performed for 21 eyes with neovascular AMD that was refractory to 3 monthly ranibizumab injections. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured at diagnosis, 1 month after 3 ranibizumab injections, and 1 month after 3 aflibercept injections, and these values were compared. RESULTS: The mean logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA at diagnosis, after ranibizumab therapy, and after aflibercept therapy was 0.62 ± 0.29, 0.73 ± 0.31, and 0.65 ± 0.28, respectively. The CRT at the aforementioned times was 427.0 ± 98.7 µm, 409.5 ± 78.7 µm, and 315.9 ± 98.2 µm, respectively. When compared with the value measured after ranibizumab therapy, CRT was significantly decreased after aflibercept therapy (p < 0.001), whereas there was no significant difference in BCVA (p = 0.092) between the two times. Improved BCVA was noted in 8 eyes (38.1%) after aflibercept therapy and BCVA was unchanged in 11 eyes (52.4%). Decreased CRT was noted in 18 eyes (85.7%) after aflibercept therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Three bimonthly aflibercept injections were found to be useful in terms of improving or maintaining visual acuity, as well as reducing retinal thickness in neovascular AMD that showed limited response to 3 initial ranibizumab injections.