Predictors of visual outcomes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy: post hoc analysis of the VIEW studies.

Abstract

Identify predictors for response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy in patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Retrospective, post hoc analysis of VIEW 1/2. Patients were randomized 1:1:1:1 to 0.5mg intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) injection every 4weeks (0.5q4); 2mg IVT-AFL every 4weeks (2q4); 2mg IVT-AFL every 8weeks (2q8) after an initial three injections at weeks 0, 4 and 8 or 0.5mg intravitreal ranibizumab every 4weeks (0.5q4). 1815 patients [IVT-AFL 2q4 (n=613); IVT-AFL 2q8 (n=607); ranibizumab 0.5q4 (n=595)] were included. Baseline demographics/characteristics were evenly balanced. Younger age (49-69years), lower visual acuity (VA) [10.0-≤45.0 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters] and smaller choroidal neovascularization (CNV) size [0.0-≤3.1 disc areas (DA)] at baseline were associated with the most vision gain (≥15 letters) over 52weeks (all nominal p<0.0001).Younger age, higher baseline VA (>64.0-≤83.0 letters) and smaller CNV size were associated with a VA ≥20/40 at week 52. Predominantly classic CNV at baseline (nominal p=0.0007), older age (≥90years), lower baseline VA (10.0-≤ 45.0 ETDRS letters) and larger CNV size (>10.1-≤32.6 DA) were all associated with a VA ≤20/200 at week 52 (all nominal p<0.0001). Along with treatment (nominal p<0.0001), lower VA (p=0.0166) and smaller central retinal thickness (both nominal p=0.0190) were predictors for dry retina development. Younger age, lower VA and smaller CNV size at baseline were all associated with greater vision gains over 52weeks while younger age, higher VA and smaller CNV size at treatment start were more likely to achieve best-corrected VA 20/40 or better after a year's treatment, suggesting the benefit of early anti-VEGF treatment.