title: NEAR VISION OUTCOME IN PATIENTS WITH AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION TREATED WITH AFLIBERCEPT.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome in near vision and the best-corrected visual acuity in patients with wet, age-related macular degeneration treated with aflibercept in a fixed bimonthly regimen in an ordinary clinical setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a retrospective, nonrandomized consecutive case series including 85 patients with wet, age-related macular degeneration followed for 18 months. During the first year all the patients received aflibercept injections in a fixed regimen at the following time points: Month 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. From Month 12 to Month 18, patients were treated with a treat and extend algorithm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median near visual acuity improved from 12 points (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.5-13.4) at baseline to 5 points both at Month 12 (95% CI 3.8-6.2) and at Month 18 (95% CI 3.6-6.4) (P < 0.0001). At the 18-month visit, 58% (42/73) of the patients had a near visual acuity of at least 5 points compared with 7% (6/85) (P < 0.0001) at baseline. Best-corrected visual acuity improved from 60.9 letters (Snellen 20/63) (95% CI 58.4-63.4) at baseline to 68.1 letters (20/40) (95% CI 65.3-70.9) (P < 0.001) at Month 12 and 69.6 letters (20/40) (95% CI 66.7-72.5) (P < 0.001) at Month 18.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant improvements were found in near vision and best-corrected visual acuity. The improvement in near vision was comparably greater than the change in best-corrected visual acuity. Monitoring near vision can contribute additional information when managing the patient with wet, age-related macular degeneration.
authors: Karolinska Institutet, St Erik Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Epstein
authors: Urban
authors: U
authors: Amrén
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D057135:Wet Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C533178:aflibercept; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor