Fluid Resolution Without Shortening Injection Interval During Subretinal Fluid-tolerating Treatment in Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence and factors associated with subretinal fluid(SRF) resolution during SRF-tolerating treatment in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration(AMD).

Methods: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with neovascular AMD who exhibited fovea-involving residual SRF persisting for at least 6 months during aflibercept treatment. Patients who showed SRF resolution despite maintaining the injection intervals were included in the resolution group, while those who exhibited persisting SRF throughout the study period were included in the non-resolution group. The incidence and associated factors of SRF resolution without reducing the injection interval were evaluated. Furthermore, the frequency of successfully extending the injection intervals while maintaining SRF resolution was identified.

Results: In total, 65 patients with neovascular AMD were included(32 and 33 in the resolution and non-resolution groups, respectively). When compared to the non-resolution group, the resolution group showed a lower mean height of SRF(67.7±33.4 vs 109.9±44.9 µm, P<0.001) and a lower maximum height of SRF(138.3±88.6 vs 176.2±76.9 µm, P=0.034). In multivariate analysis, the mean SRF height(P=0.001), maximum SRF height(P=0.006), and interval of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections(P=0.023) were significantly associated with the resolution of SRF. In the resolution group, 14 patients(43.8%) successfully expanded the injection interval.

Conclusions: During SRF-tolerating treatment for neovascular AMD, a substantial proportion of patients exhibited resolution of fluid without shortening the injection interval. Patients with lesser residual SRF during treatment were more likely to achieve fluid resolution. Following SRF resolution, injection intervals can be extended in more than 40% of patients.