Anti-VEGF Therapy in Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization: Long-Term Results

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the medium- and long-term efficacy of anti-VEGF agents in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia (mCNV). Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with mCNV who had been treated with intravitreous anti-VEGF for at least 2 years. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were compared before and after the treatment. The number of injections per year was also assessed. Results: The results were analysed at 2 years for 67 eyes, at 3 years for 52 eyes, at 4 years for 28 eyes and at 5 years for 13 eyes. The mean change from baseline BCVA was significant at 2 years (+8.6 letters; p < 0.001) and this gain remained significantly stable for a period of 5 years. The mean CRT showed a significant decrease over time, with a nadir at 2 years (-104.0 μm; p < 0.001). The mean number of injections performed during the first year was 5.2, being lower in subsequent years (p < 0.001). Conclusion: In this subset of patients with mCNV, an intravitreous therapy with anti-VEGF agents proved to have effective results over 5 years, with a sustained increase in BCVA.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of ranibizumab for the treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization: Results from the LUMINOUS study

“…It is known, that in addition to baseline VA, the prognostic factors for VA outcome after anti-VEGF therapy in patients with mCNV include age, CNV size and location, presence of chorioretinal atrophy, choroidal thickness, and recurrence of mCNV [26,28,[33][34][35][36][37]. Longterm follow-up of mCNV is required since mCNV can recur in patients after discontinuing anti-VEGF treatment [38].…”

Long-Term Outcomes of Ranibizumab Treatment of Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization in East-Asian Patients From the Radiance Study

“…A number of studies have shown that patients with lower initial BCVA exhibit greater visual gains with anti-VEGF treatment, but a higher baseline BCVA can result in a higher final BCVA after treatment. 19 , 22 , 33 , 34 Furthermore, some studies have shown that age at baseline is negatively associated with both BCVA outcome and BCVA change in patients with mCNV after treatment with anti-VEGF therapy. 23 , 33 In the Chinese study, the mean baseline age was 10 years younger than in our study.…”

Current and emerging treatment options for myopic choroidal neovascularization

“…Recently, Freitas-da-Costa et al 56 reported the long-term results of anti-VEGF therapy in mCNV. The mean change from baseline BCVA was significant at 2 years (+8.6 letters; P <0.001) and this gain remained significantly stable for a period of 5 years.…”