Analysis of Choriocapillaris Reperfusion Topography Following Faricimab Treatment for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Therapy-Naïve Patients.

Abstract

To assess changes in choriocapillaris (CC) vascular density surrounding macular neovascularization (MNV) in treatment-naïve age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after faricimab application using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Twenty-five eyes of 25 treatment-naïve individuals who underwent intravitreal faricimab injections for neovascular AMD (nAMD) with type 1 MNV were included. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images and en-face swept-source OCTA images were analyzed, and the percentage of CC flow deficit (FD%), FD average area (FDa) and FD number (FDn) in five progressive 20.0-μm-wide concentric rings (R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5) surrounding the dark halo around the MNV were calculated. Image acquisition was carried out prior to the first faricimab injection (T0) and 1 month after the injection (T1). The topographical sub-analysis revealed noteworthy changes in all rings at T1 compared to T0. There was a notable progressive reduction in FD% at T1 compared to T0 values across all rings, indicating a gradual CC reperfusion following anti-VEGF treatment. Additionally, the average size of FD decreased after the loading phase. Although not reaching statistical significance, there was a progressive reduction in the FDa across all rings. Our study highlights a CC FD reduction following the administration of three consecutive faricimab injections. This effect was detected in all rings surrounding the dark halo. These observations suggest a partial CC reperfusion surrounding the MNV, potentially serving as an indicator for disease regression.