Purpose:
To describe the progression and/or persistence of subretinalfibrosis despite anti-VEGF therapy in 3 patients with exudativeage-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Methods:
Case Series
Results:
The case histories of 3 patients treated with anti-VEGF agentsfor exudative AMD are discussed. Clinical examination, as wellas fluorescein angiography, fundus photography and optical coherencetomography, are shown documenting the progression or persistenceof subretinal fibrosis leading to visual decline despite anti-VEGFtherapy.
Conclusions:
Anti-VEGF therapy is directed at the angiogenic stimulus forchoroidal neovascularization and leakage; the development ofanti-VEGF therapies has been a significant advance in the managementof exudative AMD. However, subretinal fibrosis can either persistor develop despite the use of such therapy as deposition offibrosis tissue, which is composed principally of collagen andother extra cellular matrix molecules, can be present in exudativeAMD patients despite the use of anti-VEGF therapy. Further progressin the control of subretinal neovascularization may requiredevelopment of agents targeted against other pathways besidesVEGF in the development of exudative AMD.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • imaging/image analysis: clinical • retina