Purpose: To compare the 2-year outcomes of treat-and-extend (TAE) regimens of intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) and intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) injections for typical age-related macular degeneration (tAMD) with classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV).
Subjects and methods: In this retrospective study, 34 eyes from 34 patients with treatment naïve tAMD and classic CNV who were able to continue TAE with IVA or IVR for 2 years were included. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), central choroidal thickness (CCT), number of intravitreal injections, development of subfoveal fibrotic scarring, new subretinal hemorrhages, and the occurrence of complications were evaluated.
Results: Overall 17 eyes were treated with IVA and 17 eyes were treated with IVR. There were no significant differences between the baseline data of the groups. BCVA significantly improved in both groups during the 2-year treatment period, but there was no significant difference in the level of improvement between the groups. CMT and CCT decreased in both groups during the 2-year period, but there was no significant difference between the groups. The number of intravitreal injections and frequencies of subfoveal fibrotic scarring and new subretinal hemorrhages during the 2-year period were similar in the groups. There were no serious ocular or systemic complications in either group.
Conclusions: TAE regimens using either IVA or IVR for tAMD with classic CNV improved BCVA and exudative changes effectively. There were no significant differences in the 2-year outcomes between IVA and IVR.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi (J Jpn Ophthalmol Soc) 125: 673-681, 2021.