OUTCOMES OF TREAT-AND-EXTEND USING AFLIBERCEPT IN TYPE 3 MACULAR NEOVASCULARIZATION: A Prospective Clinical Trial

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Medical Treatments

Background:

• Type 3 macular neovascularization (MNV) is a significant cause of vision loss.
• Current treatment strategies aim to control disease progression and preserve visual function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical outcomes of a treat-and-extend (TAE) regimen using aflibercept for type 3 MNV.
• To assess the efficacy and safety of TAE with aflibercept over a 76-week period.

Main Methods:

• A prospective phase 4 clinical trial involving 25 patients with type 3 MNV.
• Patients received aflibercept via a TAE regimen for over 76 weeks, with adjustable injection intervals based on recurrence.
• Primary outcome was change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA); secondary outcomes included central retinal thickness (CRT) and fluid incidence.

Main Results:

• Mean BCVA improved by 4.6 letters from baseline to 76 weeks (P=0.044).
• CRT significantly decreased from 488.1±204.2 µm to 247.8±57.0 µm (P<0.001).
• Incidences of subretinal fluid, intraretinal fluid, subretinal hyperreflective material, and serous PED decreased significantly.

Conclusions:

• The TAE regimen with aflibercept demonstrated significant improvements in BCVA and CRT for type 3 MNV.
• This treatment approach proved effective and efficient, maintaining a dry macula in most patients at 76 weeks.