Development of subretinal fibrosis after anti-VEGF treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Background and objective: to describe the development or progression of subfoveal fibrosis after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy in the absence of significant subfoveal hemorrhage in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Patients and methods: retrospective case series.

Results: seven eyes of seven patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration developed subfoveal fibrosis after anti-VEGF therapy in the absence of significant subfoveal hemorrhage. Five of seven patients experienced vision loss of 0.3 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units or greater.

Conclusion: subfoveal fibrosis may develop or progress in neovascular age-related macular degeneration despite the absence of significant subfoveal hemorrhage and treatment with anti-VEGF. Development of anti-fibrotic therapeutics may be beneficial in reducing the incidence of subretinal fibrosis.