The Shot-term Outcomes of Treat and Extend Regimens: Aflibercept versus Ranibizumab

Abstract

Purpose : To compare the short-term outcomes of “treat and extend” regimens with aflibercept versus with ranibizumab in wet age-related maculardegeneration patients.

Methods : This prospective study enrolled 23 patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) who divided into two groups, a treat and extend (TAE) regimen with ranibizumab group (Group 1, n=13) and a same regimen with aflibercept group (Group 2, n=10). The central macular thickness (CMT) measured with spectral domain (SD) optical coherence tomography (OCT). We compared the mean gains in best-corrected visual acuity (VA) as well as the mean decreases of CMT.

Results : Two groups hadno significant differences in baseline characteristics including age, visual acuity, CMT, and presences of intraretinal or subretinal fluid at initial presentation. At 8 months, the VA (LogMAR) was significantly improved (Group 1: -0.17 ± 0.16, and group 2: -0.16 ± 0.21) and the CMT was significantly decreased (Group 1: -193.23 ± 165.91 µm, and group 2: -152.10±144.19 µm) in each groups, but there is no significant difference between the two groups. One patient of group 1 was worsened in VA, and two patients of group 1 showed recurrence, but those are not statistically significant. And at last follow up, Group 2 showed less intraretinal or subretinal fluid.

Conclusions : The treat and extend regimens with aflibercept and ranibizumab significantly improved VA and decreased CMT in patients with ARMD.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.