Abstract
Purpose:
Relatively small case series of patients whose treatment has been switched from intravitreal ranibizumab to Aflibercept have been presented previously. We wished to evaluate outcomes from larger numbers of patients to see if there was any benefit in terms of visual improvement or change in the slow rate of visual loss that occurs over time.
Methods:
Visual acuity data was collected on patients treated with aflibercept at 6 centres using Medisoft, an electronic patient record. Aflibercept treatment was started in the United Kingdom in some centres in March 2014 and in most centres by August 2013. The data cut presented is from the end of November 2014. Data collection is on-going and a further 7 centres are due to contribute shortly.
Results:
The mean visual acuity at the point of switching in 1530 eyes was 58.1 ETDRS letters; at 6 months 58.8 (613 eyes); 12 months 58 (281); 14 months 58.9 (194). The mean visual acuity had been 59.1 letters 14 months prior to switch in 561 eyes and at 6 months prior was 59.1 (760 eyes). Thus we see that a slight decline in vision prior to switching of treatment has been arrested and the graphs show an upward trend in visual acuity following the switch.
Conclusions:
The visual acuity of patients switched to aflibercept from ranibizumab remained stable. There was a suggestion of a slight decline occurring in the months before switch that stabilized. Larger numbers with longer follow up will enable this to be further assessed.<br />