Editorial: Long Term Follow-Up of Visual Acuity After anti-VEGF Therapy in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Long term follow-up of visual acuity in macular degeneration represents an important issue in the management of elderly population. Previous study on macular photocoagulation could demonstrate after five years of follow-up untreated eyes had a mean visual loss of 7.1 lines, while laser treated eyes had lost 5.2 lines [1]. Most clinical studies on anti-VEGF therapies have a follow-up of 24 months such as ANCHOR study or MARINA study [1], [2]. More recently Long term efficacy of therapy was evaluated in SEVENUP study considering outcome evolution of ANCHOR, MARINA and HORIZON study [3], [4]. Bevacizumab and ranibizumab in a monthly protocol had also the same visual outcome in the CATT study in a monthly regimen [5]. This could also be confirmed at one year in a treat and extend protocol [6].

• References

• 1 Macular photocoagulation study group. Argon laser photocoagulation for neovascular maculopathy. Five-year results from randomized clinical trials. Arch Ophthalmol 1986; 104: 694-701
• 2 MARINA Study Group. Ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. N Engl J Med 2006; 355: 1419-1431
• 3 ANCHOR Study Group. Ranibizumab versus verteporporfirin photodynamic therapy for neovascular age related macular degeneration. N Engl J Med 2006; 355: 1432-1444
• 4 Rofagha S, Bhisitkul RB, Boyer DS et al. SEVENUP Study Group. Seven year outcomes in ranibizumab treated patients in ANCHOR, MARINA, and HORIZON: a multicenter cohort study (SEVENUP). Ophthalmology 2013; 120: 2292-2299
• 5 CATT Research Group. Ranibizumab and bevacizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. N Engl J Med 2011; 364: 1897-1908
• 6 Berg K, Pedersen TR, Sandvik L et al. Comparison of ranibizumab and bevacizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration according to LUCAS treat-and-extend protocol. Ophthalmology 2015; 122: 146-152