AFLIBERCEPT FOR POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY: As Needed Versus Fixed Interval Dosing.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Vascular Eye Conditions

Background:

• Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a common cause of wet age-related macular degeneration.
• Intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) is a standard treatment for neovascular AMD and PCV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the functional and morphologic outcomes of intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) treatment in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.
• To evaluate a fixed 2-month injection schedule versus a pro re nata (PRN) regimen after initial loading doses.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of treatment-naive PCV patients receiving IVA.
• Comparison of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline and 4, 6, and 12 months.
• Assessment of polyp regression using indocyanine-green angiography at baseline and 12 months.

Main Results:

• Both IVA regimens significantly improved BCVA at 12 months compared to baseline.
• No significant difference in BCVA improvement was observed between the every-2-month and PRN groups at any time point.
• Polyp regression rates were similar between the groups (48.0% vs. 52.9%).

Conclusions:

• Intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) is well-tolerated and improves visual outcomes in PCV patients.
• A fixed 2-month injection schedule demonstrated a trend towards better vision improvement compared to PRN, though not statistically significant.
• Further research may clarify optimal dosing strategies for PCV.