Long-term Results of Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Injections in Wet AMD: A Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Intravitreal anti-VEGF medications are standard for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
• Limited systematic data exists on the long-term prognosis of this treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically analyze the long-term visual outcomes of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy in AMD patients.
• To assess the sustained efficacy and treatment patterns over several years.

Main Methods:

• A meta-analysis of 13 clinical studies (14 case series) involving 10,247 eyes was conducted.
• Literature was sourced from Medline, focusing on retrospective, real-world data from single centers.

Main Results:

• Mean visual gain was observed up to year 5 (0.4 letters at year 5).
• High dropout rates were noted: 44.3% by year 3, 23.5% by year 4, and below 10% by years 6-7.
• Treatment frequency remained consistent after year 1, averaging 4-5 injections annually.

Conclusions:

• Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections demonstrate the capability to maintain visual acuity for at least 4-5 years in AMD patients.
• The findings support the long-term therapeutic role of anti-VEGF agents in managing AMD.