Doukas Dardabounis
University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Greece
Title: Anti-VEGF treatment in neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Biography
Biography: Doukas Dardabounis
Abstract
Purpose: Evaluation of 10 years results in visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness (CMT) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in ‘real life’ practice.
Material and methods: This is a retrospective study including 417 patients treated with intravitreal anti-Vegf injections the last 10 years that the specific treatment was introduced as first line treatment for wet AMD.VA and CMT were recorded using SLO-OCT prior to initiation of therapy and at the last follow-up visit of each patient as long as the total number of injections applied.The treatment protocol was PRN with monthly patients’ examination.
Results: The follow-up period was up to 10 years. Visual acuity at the last follow-up was improved in 157 (38%), remained stable in 126(30%) and worsened in 134 (32%). The mean change in CMT was approximately 178±41μ. The total number of injections was 2689. We had 1 case of endophthalmitis responded very well in treatment with no other major side effects or other complications (local or systemic) after the injections.
Conclusion: Intravitreal anti-Vegf injections seem to be, as indicated by ‘real life’ practice data, an effective and safe therapy for the treatment of wet AMD, contributing mostly in preservation of patient’s VA.