INTRAVITREAL INJECTION OF AFLIBERCEPT IN PATIENTS WITH POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY: A 3-YEAR FOLLOW-UP.

PURPOSE: To compare the 3-year follow-up results of intravitreal injections of aflibercept between fixed dosing (FD) regimen and a pro re nata (PRN) regimen after three initial monthly doses for the treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and to analyze factors influencing improvement in visual acuity.

METHODS: We retrospectively studied all treatment-naive patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy who were scheduled to receive intravitreal aflibercept injections FD or PRN after induction treatment between March 2013 and May 2014. Best-corrected visual acuity was evaluated before treatment and at 4, 12, 24, and 36 months after initial treatment. Factors that influence improvement in visual acuity were also investigated.

RESULTS: Thirty-three eyes were assessed at the 3-year follow-up examination. Twenty-three eyes were treated with intravitreal aflibercept injections every 2 months for at least 1 year after three initial monthly doses (FD group), and 10 eyes were treated PRN after loading doses (PRN group). In the FD group, during the follow-up period from 1 to 3 years, quarterly dosing with capped PRN or a treat and extend regimen were selected. The mean number of administered intravitreal aflibercept was 15.3 ± 4.6 in the FD group and 9.0 ± 8.9 in the PRN group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.004). Significant improvement of the mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution values for best-corrected visual acuity was shown at 36 months, as compared to baseline values (P = 0.019). No significant difference in the improvement of best-corrected visual acuity between the two groups was observed at baseline or at 4, 12, 24, and 36 months after treatment (all P > 0.05), although there was a trend toward better results in the FD group. Multiple regression analysis showed that the FD group had better visual acuity at 36 months and greater improvement in visual acuity than the PRN group (P = 0.031 for both comparisons).

CONCLUSION: Intravitreal aflibercept was effective in improving the vision of patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, as evaluated at the 3-year follow-up. Fixed treatment might be an important factor influencing improvement in visual acuity.