Abstract
The aim of this observational study was to assess the use and outcome of intravitreal aflibercept in a treat and extend regimen in treatment-naïve neovascular AMD patients in routine practice. This both retrospective and prospective study was conducted in four larger Swiss retina clinics (ASTERIA study). The primary endpoint was the mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in ETDRS letters from baseline to 12 months. Between December 2017 and August 2018, 160 patients were included. For patients with available data, the mean change in BCVA was + 8.4 (± 14.4) letters at month 12 (n = 139) and + 5.0 (± 11.4) letters at month 24 (n = 95). A mean number of 8.3 (± 2.4) injections were administered within the first year and 5.4 (± 2.9) injections during the second year. On average, the observed treatment interval at month 12 was 63.3 (± 22.0) days and increased to 69.1 (± 28.6) days at month 24. For 37% of the patients, a treatment interval ≥ 12 weeks was attained at month 24. In conclusion, intravitreal aflibercept in a Swiss real-life treat and extend regimen resulted in comparable anatomic and functional outcomes as were observed in the prospective registration trials of aflibercept for nAMD treatment.