Abstract
Background and objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic results in patients with exudative AMD treated with ranibizumab and aflibercept intravitreal injections over a two-year observation period. Materials and methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in a clinical hospital on a group of patients who randomly qualified for treatment with Aflibercept (group A) and Ranibizumab (group B) as part of the Polish National Health Fund Medical Program for exudative AMD. Group A consisted of 90 patients, and group B contained 54 patients. The choice of drug in a patient depended solely on the availability of the medication at the time. Before each injection, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) on the ETDRS scale and central retinal thickness (CRT) were assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Patients from both groups were treated in the first year of treatment with a rigid scheme of 3 doses of 2.0 mg Aflibercept (group A) and 0.5 mg Ranibizumab (group B) at monthly intervals, followed by 4 doses at bimonthly intervals. In the second year, a “pro re nata” scheme was applied. The aim was to evaluate changes in BCVA and CRT after three injections, after 7 injections (about 12 months), and after the second year of therapy (24 months) with reference to the baseline and to compare the effectiveness of the medications. The influences of the following factors were studied: age, gender, initial BCVA, and initial CRT, as well as the number of injections received. Results: No significant statistical differences were found between patients receiving Aflibercept and Ranibizumab therapy in terms of achieving improved visual acuity and reducing retinal thickness after two years of therapy. Conclusions: Both aflibercept and ranibizumab were found to be effective for treating exudative AMD.
Highlights
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the elderly population and leads to a loss of central vision
The exclusion criteria were (1) hypersensitivity to Aflibercept, Ranibizumab, or any of the excipients; (2) active infection of the eye; (3) pregnant or breastfeeding; (4) occurrence of side effects associated with the drug, preventing its further use; (5) rhematogenous retinal detachment or grade 3 or 4 macular hole; (6) lack of cooperation from the patient; and (7) progression of the disease defined as deterioration of the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) to
The analysis showed that the differences between group A and group B in terms of changes in visual acuity after the first year of treatment were statistically significant (Mann–Whitney U test; U = 1688; p < 0.01), and the difference was higher in group A
Summary
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the elderly population and leads to a loss of central vision. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic results in patients with exudative AMD treated with ranibizumab and aflibercept intravitreal injections over a two-year observation period. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) on the ETDRS scale and central retinal thickness (CRT) were assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Patients from both groups were treated in the first year of treatment with a rigid scheme of 3 doses of 2.0 mg Aflibercept (group A) and 0.5 mg Ranibizumab (group B) at monthly intervals, followed by 4 doses at bimonthly intervals. Conclusions: Both aflibercept and ranibizumab were found to be effective for treating exudative AMD
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