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Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

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Open Access 01-04-2021 | Macular Degeneration | Retinal Disorders

Short-term choroidal vascular changes after aflibercept therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Authors: Marco Pellegrini, Federico Bernabei, Andrea Mercanti, Stefano Sebastiani, Enrico Peiretti, Claudio Iovino, Giamberto Casini, Pasquale Loiudice, Vincenzo Scorcia, Giuseppe Giannaccare

Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 4/2021

Abstract

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate choroidal vascular changes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with aflibercept injection over a 3-month period.

Methods

Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography scans of 60 eyes with treatment-naïve nAMD and 60 unaffected fellow eyes were retrospectively analyzed. Data was collected at baseline and after 3 monthly intravitreal injections of aflibercept. The ImageJ software was used to binarize OCT scans and measure total choroid area (TCA), luminal area (LA), and stromal area (SA). Choroidal vascularity index (CVI) was defined as the ratio of LA to TCA.

Results

After treatment, subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT) in nAMD eyes significantly decreased from 210. 6 ± 61.6 to 194.6 ± 58.7 μm (P < 0.001), TCA from 1.620 ± 0.502 to 1.500 ± 0.451 mm² (P < 0.001), LA from 1.075 ± 0.335 to 0.985 ± 0.307 mm² (P < 0.001), SA from 0.545 ± 0.176 to 0.516 ± 0.153 mm² (P = 0.005), and CVI from 66.36 ± 2.89 to 65.46 ± 2.87% (P = 0.009). The decrease of CVI after treatment was significantly correlated with baseline CVI (Rs = 0.466, P < 0.001), but not with the change in BCVA and presence of dry macula after treatment (always P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Choroidal thickness and vascularity significantly decreased after treatment with aflibercept in nAMD eyes. Besides the pharmacologic effect on the neovascular lesion, aflibercept may induce vascular changes also on the underlying choroid.

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Title: Short-term choroidal vascular changes after aflibercept therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Marco Pellegrini
Federico Bernabei
Andrea Mercanti
Stefano Sebastiani
Enrico Peiretti
Claudio Iovino
Giamberto Casini
Pasquale Loiudice
Vincenzo Scorcia
Giuseppe Giannaccare
Publication date: 01-04-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Macular Degeneration
Aflibercept
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology / Issue 4/2021
Print ISSN: 0721-832X
Electronic ISSN: 1435-702X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-020-04957-5

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Springer Medicine

Short-term choroidal vascular changes after aflibercept therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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