One-Year Outcomes of 1 + pro re nata versus 3 + pro re nata Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Ophthalmologica. 2017;237(2):105-110. doi: 10.1159/000461785. Epub 2017 Feb 24.

Abstract

Purpose: We compared 1-year outcomes of 1 + pro re nata (PRN) versus 3 + PRN of intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: Forty-two eyes with naïve AMD received 3 + PRN IAI treatment and 47 eyes with naïve AMD received 1 + PRN IAI treatment. Visual acuity (VA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and central choroidal thickness (CCT) and number of administered IAIs during 12 months were compared.

Results: VAs improved, and CRTs reduced significantly at any given month from baseline in both groups (p < 0.01, respectively). CCT reduced significantly at 3 months in the 3 + PRN group (p = 0.024) but not in the 1 + PRN group. The 1 + PRN group received fewer injections than the 3 + PRN group (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Aflibercept leads to equivalent VA and morphologic retinal improvement without administering 3 injections.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / complications
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / diagnosis
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Macular Degeneration / complications
  • Macular Degeneration / diagnosis
  • Macular Degeneration / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / administration & dosage*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Retina / diagnostic imaging*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • aflibercept
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor