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Four-year outcome of aflibercept administration using a treat-and-extend regimen in eyes with recurrent neovascular age-related macular degeneration

  • Clinical Investigation
  • Published:
Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the 4-year outcome of aflibercept treatment using a treat-and-extend (TAE) regimen for recurrent neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Study design

Retrospective observational study.

Methods

Data of eyes with recurrent AMD previously treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents or photodynamic therapy and had started aflibercept treatment using a TAE regimen for the first time were collected. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intervals of treatments, the presence of exudation, central foveal thickness (CFT), and central choroidal thickness (CCT) were analyzed.

Results

Of 47 consecutive eyes, 30 of the 47 eyes completed a 4-year follow-up. The mean BCVA (logMAR) was sustained over the 4 years (0.37 at baseline, 0.36 at 1 year, 0.36 at 2 years, 0.41 at 3 years, and 0.43 at 4 years, P = 0.21). Of the 30 eyes that completed the follow-up, BCVA of two eyes deteriorated by 0.3 logMAR or more at 4 years. At 4 years, 67% of eyes had extended treatment intervals to > 8 weeks, and 47% of eyes had extended intervals to > 12 weeks. Exudative changes in the macula, seen in all eyes at baseline, were only seen in 50% of the eyes at 4 years. The mean CFT and CCT decreased significantly at 4 years from 332 μm to 248 μm and from 218 μm to 183 μm, respectively.

Conclusion

In clinical settings, aflibercept treatment using a TAE regimen may successfully maintain visual acuity for up to 4 years even in recurrent cases of AMD.

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Acknowledgements

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Handa City Hospital, Handa, Japan

    Yuma Tsunekawa

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan

    Keiko Kataoka, Keiko Asai, Yasuki Ito & Hiroko Terasaki

Authors
  1. Yuma Tsunekawa
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  2. Keiko Kataoka
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  3. Keiko Asai
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  4. Yasuki Ito
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  5. Hiroko Terasaki
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Keiko Kataoka.

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Conflicts of interest

Y. Tsunekawa, None; K. Kataoka, Honorarium for Lecturing (Novartis, Santen, Bayer, Senju); K. Asai, None; Y. Ito, Honorarium for Lecturing(Aichi Ophthalmologists Association, Bayer, Canon, ZEISS, Kowa, Novartis, Okazaki City Medical Association, Pfizer, Santen); H. Terasaki, Grant, Honorarium for Lecturing(Otsuka, Kowa, Santen, Senju, Alcon, Novartis, Wakamoto), Honorarium for Lecturing, Consultant fee, Travel fee(Bayer), Rohto Award Selection Committee(ROHTO), Honorarium for Lecturing (ZEISS), Grant (HOYA).

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Corresponding author: Keiko Kataoka

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Tsunekawa, Y., Kataoka, K., Asai, K. et al. Four-year outcome of aflibercept administration using a treat-and-extend regimen in eyes with recurrent neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Jpn J Ophthalmol 65, 69–76 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-020-00783-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-020-00783-8

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