One-Year Outcomes of Intravitreal Conbercept for Treatment-Resistant Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal conbercept injections in patients with treatment-resistant neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD). Methods: Retrospective review of patients with resistance (persistent exudation) to ranibizumab (0.5 mg) that were switched to treatment with 3 monthly intravitreal injections of conbercept (0.5 mg), followed by dosing on an as-needed basis. The demographic data, visual acuities, central retinal thickness (CRT), and the maximum pigment epithelial detachment (PED) height were reviewed. Results: Outcomes observed in 34 eyes from 26 patients with a mean of 7.68 (range 6–14) previous ranibizumab injections were compiled. Twelve months after switching to conbercept, there were significant reductions of CRT (402.59 ± 163.85 vs. 473.18 ± 164.84 μm, p = 0.002) and maximum PED height (218.59 ± 106.89 vs. 295.32 ± 179.80 μm, p = 0.006) compared with the baseline. No statistical change in visual acuity logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution occurred after 12 months (0.68 ± 0.48 vs. 0.78 ± 0.63 letters, p = 0.17) despite 27 of 34 eyes (79.41%) remaining stable or having improvement visual acuity. Conclusions: Intravitreal injections of conbercept appear to be beneficial in patients with nvAMD who exhibit persistent fluid despite previous treatment with ranibizumab.