One-Year Outcomes after Switching to Faricimab in Eyes with Pretreated Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Swiss Retina Research Network Report

Abstract

Purpose: To report the efficacy and safety of switching to faricimab in a real-world, Swiss cohort of patients with pretreated neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Design: Retrospective, multicenter, longitudinal observational study conducted at 11 centers of the Swiss Retina Research Network.

Subjects: We included 353 eyes of 325 patients who were switched to intravitreal faricimab after prior anti-VEGF therapy and followed for a minimum of 12 months between May 1, 2022, and October 30, 2024.

Methods: Demographic characteristics, baseline functional and OCT findings, treatment history, and outcomes at 12 months after switch to faricimab were extracted from the patients' electronic case report forms.

Main outcome measures: Change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST), presence of retinal fluid (RF) and pigment epithelial detachment, treatment intervals, and safety signals.

Results: Twelve months after switch, mean BCVA remained unchanged, whereas mean CST decreased from 315.3 to 263.9 μm (P < 0.01). Fast drying (absence of RF) after 1 faricimab injection was observed in 134 eyes (38%) and correlated positively with the treatment interval at 12 months (r(301) = 0.24; P < 0.01). After 12 months, 169 (47.9%) eyes demonstrated the absence of RF compared with 10.2% at switch. Mean treatment interval increased from 5.8 ± 2.5 weeks at switch to 8.3 ± 4.2 weeks at 12 months, and extended treatment intervals (≥12 week) were achieved in 20% of patients. Mild intraocular inflammation was reported in 1.7% of cases.

Conclusions: Switching to faricimab in pretreated nAMD led to sustained anatomic improvements and stabilization of BCVA, with a substantial reduction in RF compared with baseline. Our results suggest the potential benefits of this switching strategy based on real-world data.

Financial disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Keywords: Age-related macular degeneration; Faricimab; Real-world; Retina; Swiss Retina Research Network.