Adrean SD, et al. - The clinical results were assessed by the experts in cases with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who were treated with a treat-extend-stop (TES) protocol and who received 50 or more injections of anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents. It was found that patients gained a mean of 2 early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) after 50 injections. A mean follow-up of 8 years was conducted. At the last follow-up examination, 35.2% of eyes demonstrated a 3-line or more visual acuity (VA) gain. Subjects requiring consistent long-term anti-VEGF therapy, managed with a TES protocol, exhibited a likelihood of being able to maintain or improve their vision.

Methods

• The scheme of this research was a retrospective case study.
• Researchers analyzed the data of patients from a private retina practice meeting with the following criteria: Diagnosis of nAMD and having received 50 or more intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents.
• Data were collected regarding the patients' baseline visual acuity (obtained via Snellen charts and converted to Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] letters), age, length of follow-up, anti-VEGF agents used, and interval between treatments.

Results

• The inclusion criteria was met by 67 eyes of 71 patients.
• It was reported that the mean age of patients was 83.0 years, wherein 58.2% of the study cohort comprised of women and men constituted 41.8%.
• Data indicated that the mean initial VA was 55.6 ETDRS letters.
• The mean duration of follow-up at the 51st visit for an injection appeared to be 6.4 years, and the mean duration of follow-up at the last visit was 8 years.
• Findings disclosed that the mean number of injections at final follow-up was 63.7.
• Between treatments, the mean interval at the 51st follow-up was 5.4 weeks, and the mean follow-up at the last examination was 6.4 weeks.
• It was discovered that the mean VA at the 51st injection was 65.3 letters, and the mean change from baseline was 9.7 letters (P < 0.001, Student paired t test).
• At the last follow-up, the mean vision gained was found to be 8.7 letters from baseline (P < 0.001), or 64.3 letters.