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Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 8/2023

Open Access 16-03-2023 | Macular Degeneration | Low Vision

Benefit of intravitreal injections in patients with sub-threshold baseline visual acuity: a retrospective single-centre study

Authors: Nina-Antonia Grimm, Sarah Fahimi, Fabian Kück, Patricia Take, Peer Lauermann, Anna Nguyen-Hoehl, Hans Hoerauf, Nicolas Feltgen, Sebastian Bemme

Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 8/2023

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Abstract 

Purpose

To investigate the lower visual acuity threshold for recommending intravitreal injection therapy (IVI). The lower limit of 1.3 logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was adopted in 2006 and has been maintained since then.

Methods

In this retrospective study, data from patients with a logMAR BCVA ≤ 1.3 and 24 months follow-up were analysed. We included patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic macular oedema (DME), or retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Results

The data from 164 patients (nAMD: 107; DME: 15; RVO: 42) were analysed. We observed a significant improvement at all time intervals (0 to 6, 6 to 12, 12 to 18, and 18 to 24 months after initiating IVI) compared to baseline. Across all indications, median BCVA improved from 1.4 to 1.0 within the first 6 months and remained stable within 24 months. Patients received a median of 5 and 10 injections within 6 and 24 months, respectively. Median foveal retinal thickness was 594.5 μm at baseline and dropped to 244.5 μm, 235.5 µm, 183 µm, and 180 µm during the four consecutive time intervals.

Conclusion

Patients with nAMD, DME, and RVO with poor baseline BCVA may also benefit from intravitreal therapy with VEGF-inhibitors. In the present study, we observed functional and morphological improvement over 2 years irrespective of the underlying macular disease. Those patients should not be excluded from therapy.
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Metadata
Title
Benefit of intravitreal injections in patients with sub-threshold baseline visual acuity: a retrospective single-centre study
Authors
Nina-Antonia Grimm
Sarah Fahimi
Fabian Kück
Patricia Take
Peer Lauermann
Anna Nguyen-Hoehl
Hans Hoerauf
Nicolas Feltgen
Sebastian Bemme
Publication date
16-03-2023
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology / Issue 8/2023
Print ISSN: 0721-832X
Electronic ISSN: 1435-702X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-023-05989-3

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