April 2014
Volume 55, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   April 2014
Retention of Good Visual Acuity in Eyes with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Chronic Refractory Subfoveal Subretinal Fluid
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Kavita Bhavsar
    Retina, Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York (VRMNY), New York, NY
    Retina, Columbia University, New York, NY
  • K Bailey Freund
    Retina, Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York (VRMNY), New York, NY
    Retina, Columbia University, New York, NY
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships Kavita Bhavsar, None; K Bailey Freund, Genentech (R), Regeneron (C)
  • Footnotes
    Support None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science April 2014, Vol.55, 3972. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      Kavita Bhavsar, K Bailey Freund; Retention of Good Visual Acuity in Eyes with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Chronic Refractory Subfoveal Subretinal Fluid. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2014;55(13):3972.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract
 
Purpose
 

To describe the clinical characteristics of a subset of eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD) receiving intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy which retain good visual acuity despite chronic, persistent, subfoveal subretinal fluid (SRF).

 
Methods
 

Study eyes were identified from a consecutive series of 186 NVAMD patients being treated with anti-VEGF therapy seen for regular follow-up over a 3-month period. The clinical histories of 10 eyes of 9 patients with NVAMD, chronic subfoveal SRF despite continuous anti-VEGF therapy, and good long-term visual acuity of 20/40 were reviewed. Demographic factors, baseline and final visual acuity, neovascular lesion type, duration of persistent fluid, baseline and final subfoveal choroidal thickness, and number of anti-VEGF injections were analyzed.

 
Results
 

The mean age of patients was 78 years (range 55-91). The mean duration of persistent subfoveal fluid was 5.2 years (range 1.3 - 11.0). Long-term visual acuities remained stable at 20/40 or better in all eyes. All eyes had type 1 (sub-retinal pigment epithelial) neovascularization. Average baseline subfoveal choroidal thickness was 285.3µm and the average subfoveal choroidal thickness at last follow-up examination was 239.7µm. The mean number of injections was 36.5 (range 17-66).

 
Conclusions
 

Some eyes with type 1 neovascularization associated with chronic persistent subfoveal subretinal fluid despite continuous intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy may maintain good long-term visual outcomes. We hypothesize that type 1 neovascularization and greater subfoveal choroidal thickness may exert a protective effect on photoreceptor integrity. Further studies are necessary to assess long-term visual prognosis and predictive factors in patients with type 1 choroidal neovascularization leading to persistent subretinal fluid that is recalcitrant to anti-VEGF treatment.

 
 
Table 1: Patient Demographics and Clinical Characteristics
 
Table 1: Patient Demographics and Clinical Characteristics
 
 
Figure 2: Average subfoveal choroidal thickness in healthy, normal eyes compared to study subjects.
 
Figure 2: Average subfoveal choroidal thickness in healthy, normal eyes compared to study subjects.
 
Keywords: 700 retinal neovascularization • 412 age-related macular degeneration • 754 visual acuity  
×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×