Functional outcomes and cRORA incidence and progression over a 10-year course of anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular...

BackgroundPatients affected by neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) require long-term anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy to maintain visual function. This study assessed 10-year functional outcomes as well as the cumulative incidence and progression of complete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (cRORA) in a real-world cohort.MethodsTreatment-naïve eyes of nAMD patients receiving intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy under a pro re nata regimen over 10 years were retrospectively analyzed. Demographics, visual acuity (VA) (LogMAR), number of injections, macular neovascularization (MNV) subtype, and treatment agents were collected. cRORA incidence was assessed according to the Classification of Atrophy Meeting (CAM) group, and the progression rate was quantified. Factors associated with final VA and cRORA progression rate were further investigated.Results35 eyes from 30 patients (63.3% female; mean age 74.9 ± 6.6 years) were analyzed. The median number of injections over 10 years was 69. VA declined by +0.016 logMAR/year, with a significant change compared to baseline only at the 10-year visit (p < 0.05). Baseline and 5-year VA correlated strongly with final VA (p < 0.001). cRORA developed in 48.6% of eyes, with a mean progression rate of 0.26 ± 0.11 mm/year.ConclusionOver 10 years, nAMD-affected eyes receiving anti-VEGF therapy demonstrated only a modest decline in visual function. While cRORA developed in nearly half of the eyes, no association with treatment intensity or MNV type was observed in this cohort. Early VA was significantly associated with long-term functional outcomes.