Effect of Epiretinal Membrane Peeling on Intravitreal Aflibercept Therapy Response for Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: A Case Report

Abstract

Traction forces in cases of epiretinal membrane (ERM) may antagonize the effects of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGF) treatments and cause pharmacological resistance in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Presently described is a case with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in conjunction with ERM who demonstrated a partial response to intravitreal aflibercept injections. A pars plana vitrectomy with ERM peeling was performed. After surgery, optical coherence tomography showed an improvement in the macular morphology and complete resolution of subretinal fluid. His visual acuity remained stable. Vitrectomy may improve the anti-VEGF response in some patients with ERM who do not respond to anti-VEGF therapy for PCV.