Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the 2-year real-world outcomes of switching to intravitreal faricimab in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) previously treated with anti-VEGF agents and unable to extend treatment intervals (TI) beyond 12 weeks.
Methods
Prospective cohort study including patients with nAMD managed under a treat-and-extend regimen who required frequent anti-VEGF injections (
Results
A total of 110 eyes from 97 patients were included (mean age 78.7 ± 9.8 years). Prior to switching, the mean TI was 6.18 ± 2.05 weeks, which increased significantly to 13.61 ± 5.62 weeks at the last follow-up visit (
p
p
= 0.0117). At final follow-up, 68.2% of eyes achieved intervals ≥ 12 weeks, 20.0% ≥16 weeks, and 24.6% reached ≥ 20-week intervals. Overall, 89.1% of eyes experienced interval extension. Optimal responders accounted for 47.3% of eyes and were significantly younger and had received fewer prior injections (
p
Conclusions
Switching to faricimab in previous treated nAMD patients enabled meaningful extension of TI over 2 years while maintaining stable visual acuity. These findings support faricimab as an effective strategy to reduce treatment burden in patients who are difficult to extend with prior anti-VEGF therapies.