2 research outputs found
Continued anti-VEGF treatment does not prevent recurrences in eyes with stable neovascular age-related macular degeneration using a treat-and-extend regimen: a retrospective case series.
BACKGROUND
The continuation of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment after achieving stability in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration has generally been advocated. In our own patients, we thought to assess whether continued anti-VEGF treatment is capable of preventing recurrences.
METHODS
In this retrospective observational case series, patients with stable disease either opted to continue treatment every 12-14 weeks (Group 1) or stopped treatment with subsequent follow-up visits every 8-12 weeks (Group 2).
RESULTS
Of the 103 eyes of 103 patients achieving stability, 49 eyes continued treatment (Group 1), whereas treatment was stopped in 54 eyes undergoing regular follow-up (Group 2). Recurrent disease was observed in 21 (42.9%) and 33 (61.1%) cases in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (p = 0.08). Time between achieving stable disease and recurrence was comparable between Group 1 and Group 2 (11.1 ± 8.2 months vs. 9.2 ± 6.7 months; p = 0.43). The number of visits between achieving stability and disease recurrence was similar, but not the number of injections (3.5 ± 2.0 vs. 0.2 ± 0.4; p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Continuing anti-VEGF therapy after achieving functional and morphological stability every 12-14 weeks does not prevent recurrences. Patients deserve to be informed of a potential lifetime risk of recurrences, even under continued therapy
IOP-lowering and drug-sparing effects of trabectome surgery with or without cyclodialysis ab interno.
PURPOSE
To compare the postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) after ab interno trabeculectomy (AIT; trabectome surgery) alone or combined with cyclodialysis ab interno (AITC).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Forty-three eyes with insufficiently controlled open-angle glaucoma were included in this consecutive case series. All eyes received AIT, combined with phacoemulsification and IOL-implantation in phakic instances, with or without additional cyclodialysis ab interno. Postoperative visual acuity, IOP, number of IOP-lowering medications and complications were registered over 12Â months.
RESULTS
A total of 19 eyes (14 patients) received AIT and 24 (19 patients) received AITC. Both groups were comparable for baseline IOP (AIT: 19.7 ± 8.2 mmHg; AITC: 19.4 ± 6.8 mmHg; p = 0.96), there was a comparable IOP reduction after 6 months (AIT: - 3.8 ± 12.3, median (interquartile range (IQR)): - 3.8 (- 7.8-4.8) mmHg; AITC: - 4.9 ± 8.3, median (IQR): - 2.0 (- 10.8-2.0) mmHg; p = 0.95) and 12 months (AIT: - 4.3 ± 6.6, median (IQR): - 4.0 (- 8.0 to - 1.0) mmHg; AITC: - 3.7 ± 6.7, median (IQR): - 1.5 (- 5.5 to - 0.5) mmHg; p = 0.49). While final visual acuity was similar between the groups, they differed regarding topical IOP-lowering medications (baseline: AIT 2.9 ± 1.2 and AITC 2.9 ± 1.2; 1 year after surgery: AIT 2.6 ± 1.5 (p = 0.16) and AITC 1.3 ± 1.3; p < 0.001)). Depending on the definition, a complete or qualified success of 33.4-45.8% was achieved in AITC compared to 15.8-21.1% in AIT.
CONCLUSION
The additional suprachoroidal outflow when AIT is combined with cyclodialysis ab interno (AITC) seems to result in an additional drug sparing effect for at least 1Â year without critical safety signals. Thus, AITC might be further investigated prospectively prior to advocating its use in routine minimally invasive glaucoma surgery