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. 2022 Jul 9:2022:3332421.
doi: 10.1155/2022/3332421. eCollection 2022.

Long-Term Effect of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (Anti-VEGF) Injections in Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Angioid Streaks

Sónia Torres-Costa  1 , João Bernardes  2   3 , Sofia Sousa Mano  4 , Joana Medeiros-Pinto  4 , Ana Carolina Abreu  5 , Maria João Furtado  5 , Rufino Silva  2   3   6 , Carlos Marques-Neves  4   7 , Fernando Falcão-Reis  1   8 , Ângela Carneiro  1   8 , Luísa Colaço  9 , Manuel Falcão  1   8
Affiliations

Long-Term Effect of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (Anti-VEGF) Injections in Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Angioid Streaks

Sónia Torres-Costa et al. J Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with angioid streaks.

Methods: Multicenter retrospective cohort study, including eyes with CNV secondary to angioid streaks treated with anti-VEGF injections, were performed. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in ETDRS letters; qualitative and quantitative (foveal thickness) OCT parameters; anti-VEGF type; and number of injections were collected at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 months.

Results: Thirty-nine eyes from 29 patients, 17 (58.6%) females, were included. The mean follow-up time was 69.4 ± 34.5 months. BCVA was 59.3 ± 23.3 letters at baseline and 63.7 ± 21.9 letters at 48 months. At 3 months, BCVA improved 6.9 ± 11.7 letters (P=0.003). Then, BCVA remained stable. The mean foveal thickness decreased from 343.3 ± 120.2 μm at baseline to 268.3 ± 65.4 at 48 months (P=0.021). The mean number of injections was 4.6 ± 2.1 at 12 months, decreasing to 1.7 ± 2.4 injections between 36 and 48 months (P=0.093).

Conclusion: This real-world study suggests that the functional and morphologic response to anti-VEGF therapy for CNV related to angioid streaks is generally satisfactory and maintained in the long term.

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Conflict of interest statement

Manuel Falcão has participated in advisory boards for Bayer and has received travel grants from Novartis, Alimera, and Allergan. Ângela Carneiro has participated in advisory boards for Alcon, Bayer, Novartis, Alimera, Allergan, and Roche. The other authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Best-corrected visual acuity (ETDRS letters) variation until 48 months (primary outcome). ∗P < 0.05.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean central macular thickness (μm) variation until 48 months (primary outcome). ∗P < 0.05.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean number of injections per period until 48 months (primary outcome). The mean number of intravitreal injections was reduced significantly between 12 and 24 months (P=0.007), between 24 and 36 months (P=0.003), and between 36 and 48 months (P=0.002) compared with the number of injections performed in the first 12 months of follow-up.
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