Abstract
Purpose:
To compare the OCT-related functional treatment response between Ranibizumab and Aflibercept treatment after 12 month in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).
Methods:
Fourty four eyes showing untreated nAMD were examined with the Heidelberg Spectralis-OCT (SD-OCT) and the NIDEK MP-1 microperimetry (MP) at baseline, at month 3 and at month 12 receiving a fixed regimen of intravitral ranibizumab (22 eyes) or aflibercept injections (22 eyes).<br /> The fundusphoto (FP) of the MP was exactly matched with the infrared+OCT image of the SD-OCT using imaging processing software.<br /> Each test point of light sensitivity in the FP was transmitted to the corresponding location on SD-OCT and subsequently the microperimetric results were evaluated with respect to the following OCT-findings: neovascular complex (NVC), serous pigment epithelium detachment (sPED), fibrovascular PED (fPED), subretinal fluid (SRF), intraretinal fluid (IRF) and intraretinal cysts (IRC) at baseline and after 1 year.
Results:
From baseline to month 12, significant improvements in retinal sensitivity were observed for SRF and sPED, with median [quartile] values of 7dB [3dB, 12dB] / 10.5dB [3dB, 14.5dB] with Ranibizumab and 6dB [0dB, 9dB] / 6dB [5dB, 9dB] with Aflibercept treatment (p<0.0001 for both agents). From baseline to month 12 no significant change in median retinal sensitivity was observed for NVC, IRF, fPED, IRC neither with Ranibizumab treatment with median [quartile] values of 0.5dB [0dB, 5dB], 1dB [-2.5dB, 6dB], 0dB [-3dB, 6dB], -4dB [-8dB, -1dB] nor with Aflibercept treatment with 0dB [0dB, 0dB], 0dB [-2dB, 5dB], 3dB [-3dB, 8dB], 0dB [-5dB, 2dB], (p>0.1 for both agents).
Conclusions:
After 1 year Ranibizumab and Aflibercept showed equal significant benefit for SRF and sPED whereas for NVC, fPED, IRF and IRC no significant benefit was registered for both agents.