Background and objective: This study evaluated the efficacy and durability of faricimab in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who were previously treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents.
Patients and methods: This retrospective case series was conducted at a single tertiary center in the United States. It focused on nAMD patients who transitioned to faricimab after initial anti-VEGF therapy, with a follow-up period of at least 9 months. "Complete dryness" was defined as the absence of intra- and/or subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography. Durability was gauged by the extension of treatment intervals relative to the injection frequency of the previous agent.
Results: Sixty-two eyes from 62 patients were included. Treatment interval ranged from 5 to 10 weeks; 10 (16%) patients were able to be extended by 2 or more weeks compared to their previous regimen. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) central field thickness was 310 μm (254, 376) on initiating faricimab and declined by the ninth month (P values at 3, 6, and 9 months were 0.01, 0.02, and 0.07, respectively). Median (IQR) visual acuity at initiation of faricimab was 0.4 (0.20, 0.50) and did not change by the ninth month. Complete anatomical dryness was present in 10 (16%) eyes before switching; 90% remained dry at 9 months. Of 52 (84%) incompletely dry eyes before switching, 15% achieved complete dryness by 9 months on faricimab.
Conclusions: Faricimab modestly improved the treatment intervals for a small proportion of previously treated patients on anti-VEGF therapy. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:504-509.].