Abstract
Purpose :
Controversy exists regarding the impact of post injection endophthalmitis on IVI frequency in patients with nvAMD. We performed a retrospective chart review to assess the effect of anti-VEGF related endophthalmitis on injection frequency in patients with nvAMD.
Methods :
All cases of post-IVI endophthalmitis occurring in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada between 2012-2019 were reviewed. Electronic records were analyzed for frequency of IVI, visual acuity (VA), central foveal thickness (CFT), intraretinal fluid (IRF) and subretinal fluid (SRF) height in endophthalmitis eyes and fellow unaffected control eyes. Microsoft Excel was used for data analysis.
Results :
Out of 23 eyes with endophthalmitis, 21 (91%) maintained follow up for at least 12 months post endophthalmitis. 16 out of 23 fellow unaffected eyes required IVI and were used as controls. There was a statistically significant reduction in IVI frequency and VA in the first year post as compared to pre endophthalmitis (Tables 1 and 2). No significant reduction in IVI frequency was observed in the second-year post endophthalmitis for case eyes, nor at any time in the control eyes. There was no significant change in CFT, IRF/SRF, or percentages of dry retinas in either cases or controls.
Conclusions :
In patients with nvAMD, eyes with post injection endophthalmitis receive fewer IVIs in the first year post endophthalmitis. Control eyes continue to receive intravitreal anti-VEGF at a statistically unchanged frequency over the same time period. Markers including CFT, IRF/SRF, and percentage dry retinas remain statistically unchanged, suggesting disease stability despite a decrease in injection frequency. Larger studies are needed to further clarify the impact of endophthalmitis on the frequency of IVI.
This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.