Dosing interval optimization and persistence with faricimab in age-related macular degeneration: An observational...

To evaluate treatment persistence and dosing interval extension with faricimab in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in real-world practice.

Retrospective observational study conducted in a tertiary hospital (March 2024-March 2025). Patients receiving faricimab (treatment-naïve or pre-treated with anti-VEGF therapy), with ≥1 post-loading dose, were included. Dosing intervals were analyzed at baseline, 6 and 12 months, Adherence was assessed with the medication possession ratio (MPR), with >80% considered adherent. Persistence was defined as the time from treatment initiation to discontinuation or end of follow-up. Persistence was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

We included 129 patients (148 eyes), mean age 74.5 ± 8.85 years; 55% were female. A total of 39 patients (30.2%) were treatment-naïve and 90 (69.8%) were pretreated. At 12 months, 48.8% of naïve and 55.5% of pretreated patients achieved 8-12 weeks intervals. Mean persistence was 12.2 months (SD 0.2; 95% CI: 11.8-12.6). The median was not reached by the end of the study. Persistence rate was 93% at 6 and 12 months. Only one patient discontinued due to inefficacy. No serious adverse events or endophthalmitis occurred.

Faricimab showed excellent persistence and extended dosing intervals in real-world practice. This is the first study specifically evaluating faricimab real-world persistence in nAMD.