Treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration with anti-VEGF agents: retrospective analysis of 5-year outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the 5-year results obtained in clinical practice in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with anti-VEGF agents.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed all patients with nAMD who initiated anti-VEGF treatment before October 2009. We collected data regarding visual and anatomical outcomes.


RESULTS
A total of 278 patients met the selection criteria. The mean number of intravitreal injections was 5.7 in the first year and 3.7 in the fifth year. A positive mean visual acuity variation of +3.7 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters occurred in the first year, but no significant differences relative to baseline were observed thereafter. The majority of patients (71%) maintained stable visual acuity throughout follow-up. At 5 years, mean central macular thickness remained substantially inferior to baseline (-96.6 μm), and 56% of patients maintained dry retinas.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-VEGF therapy leads to long-term visual stabilization in the great majority of patients.
Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital de São João, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Ana Catarina
AC
Pedrosa
Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Adriana
A
Reis-Silva
Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital de São João, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
João
J
Pinheiro-Costa
Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital de São João, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
João
J
Beato
Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital de São João, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Paulo
P
Freitas-da-Costa
Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital de São João, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Manuel S
MS
Falcão
Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital de São João, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Fernando
F
Falcão-Reis
Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital de São João, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Ângela
Â
Carneiro
age-related macular degeneration; choroidal neovascularization; vascular endothelial growth factor; visual acuity