Effectiveness and safety of intravitreal aflibercept injection for neovascular glaucoma: A single-center, retrospective, observational study in China

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of intravitreal aflibercept injections in Chinese patients with neovascular glaucoma (NVG). We conducted a single-center, retrospective, observational study that identified adult Chinese patients diagnosed with NVG who received intravitreal aflibercept between January 1, 2018, and June 30, 2022, by reviewing medical records. The patients were followed-up for a month. Changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) levels and improvements in neovascularization of the iris (NVI) grades at weeks 1 and 4 compared to baseline were the main outcomes for effectiveness. Safety was assessed on the basis of the occurrence of adverse ocular events. Subgroup analysis was performed for patients with high baseline IOP (>21 mm Hg) and scheduled surgery within the follow-up period. A sum of 42 eyes from 42 patients were included in the full analysis. The included eyes had improved NVI grades by at least 1 level in 84.00% of the eyes after a week and in 91.67% after a month. The mean decline of IOP in 11 eyes that were measured at week 4 was −6.29 mm Hg compared to baseline. Similar trends were observed in the subgroups. Intravitreal aflibercept injection is safe and effective in lowering IOP and inducing NVI regression in Chinese patients, as measured by improvements in NVI grades.

Neovascular glaucoma: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and contemporary management

“…A major limitation of the current literature is that much of the evidence comes from retrospective, single-center studies with short follow-up, variable inclusion criteria, and inconsistent outcome definitions ( 39 ). This makes it difficult to compare findings across studies or to determine the true incremental benefit of one treatment strategy over another.…”

Neovascular glaucoma: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and contemporary management

“…A major limitation of the current literature is that much of the evidence comes from retrospective, single-center studies with short follow-up, variable inclusion criteria, and inconsistent outcome definitions ( 39 ). This makes it difficult to compare findings across studies or to determine the true incremental benefit of one treatment strategy over another.…”

Neovascular glaucoma: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and contemporary management

“…A major limitation of the current literature is that much of the evidence comes from retrospective, single-center studies with short follow-up, variable inclusion criteria, and inconsistent outcome definitions ( 39 ). This makes it difficult to compare findings across studies or to determine the true incremental benefit of one treatment strategy over another.…”

Neovascular glaucoma: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and contemporary management

“…A major limitation of the current literature is that much of the evidence comes from retrospective, single-center studies with short follow-up, variable inclusion criteria, and inconsistent outcome definitions ( 39 ). This makes it difficult to compare findings across studies or to determine the true incremental benefit of one treatment strategy over another.…”