Two-year treatment outcomes after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in age-related macular degeneration with type 2 macular neovascularization in Japanese patients.

Purpose: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with type 2 macular neovascularization (MNV) has a relatively good responsiveness to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy compared to type 1 MNV. This study aimed to analyze the treatment outcomes of nAMD patients with type 2 MNV and identify factors associated with fluid recurrence.

Study design: Retrospective observational study.

Methods: This study included treatment-naïve nAMD patients with type 2 MNV but without type 1 MNV, who received 3-monthly anti-VEGF injections as the loading phase and were followed up for over 2 years. The treatment outcomes were compared between proactive (PA) and reactive regimen (RA) groups. In addition, we investigated the factors associated with fluid recurrence in the RA group.

Results: This retrospective study included 65 eyes from 65 patients. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness significantly improved in both the PA and RA groups. Although there was no significant difference between the two groups, the RA group showed a trend towards better BCVA. The presence of fluid three or four months after the initial injection was associated with fluid recurrence in the RA group (p = 0.02).

Conclusion: For nAMD patients with type 2 MNV, a proactive regimen is generally preferred. However, for nAMD patients with type 2 MNV achieving fluid resolution after the loading phase, it may be possible to maintain BCVA and reduce the number of anti-VEGF injections by following a reactive regimen.