Two-year outcomes of treat-and-extend regimen with intravitreal faricimab for treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract

Purpose: We previously reported 1-year outcomes of a treat-and-extend (TAE) regimen with intravitreal faricimab (IVF) for treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Herein, we evaluated the second-year results of this TAE regimen with IVF in eyes completing the first-year treatment.

Study design: Retrospective, interventional case series.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 30 eyes with treatment-naïve nAMD that had completed the initial year of treatment, assessing best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), foveal thickness (FT), central choroidal thickness (CCT), total number of injections over 2 years, and intended injection interval at the last visit.

Results: Twenty-five eyes completed the 2-year IVF treatment. There was no significant difference between pre-treatment and 2 years post-treatment BCVA. FT and CCT both showed significant reductions, maintained during the 2-year study period. The total number of injections was 10.1 ± 1.2 over the 2 years. The intended injection interval at the last visit was 13.0 ± 3.4 weeks. Of 5 eyes not completing 2 years of IVF treatment, 4 were switched to other anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents due to persistent fluids despite IVF at 8-week intervals. In the remaining eye, IVF treatment was discontinued due to suspected faricimab-related intraocular inflammation.

Conclusions: The TAE regimen with IVF for treatment-naïve nAMD was effective during a 2-year period for improving exudative changes and maintaining visual acuity. Although IVF was found to be a relatively safe treatment for nAMD, there were cases requiring a switch to other anti-VEGF agents due to inadequate fluid control effect.