Patients receiving continuous injections of anti-VEGF drugs for treatment of wet age related macular degeneration (wAMD) can take comfort in knowing that they are keeping their initial visual acuity long term. As reported in the September 29 issue of Ophthalmology Retina, the LATAR study found that 293 eyes not only maintained their original visual acuity, but showed a mean gain of 3 letters over the decade.
A common question among wAMD patients is, “Aren’t these drugs going to be harmful after so many injections?” The results of this study have addressed that concern, with a total of about 58 injections per person from 2006 through 2016. This information can reduce worries about loss of acuity, but care must still be taken to avoid risks such as infection, contamination, and increased eye pressure. In the hands of a conscientious specialist, patients can look forward to maintaining their vision for many years or until improved methods of drug delivery are developed.
SOURCE: Long-term anti-VEGF treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The LATAR Study Report 1: Ten-year, real-world outcomes. Kimberly Spooner, et al (Ophthalmol Retina. 2020 Sep 29;S2468-6530(20)30399-7. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2020.09.019. Online ahead of print.