Characterizing Progression to Neovascular AMD in Fellow Eyes of Patients Treated With Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Injections

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the real-world incidence of conversion to bilateral neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) following treatment initiation of nAMD in the initial eye. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort of electronic health records from retinal centers across the United States (Vestrum Database) of all patients with unilateral nAMD treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. RESULTS: A total of 22,553 patients with unilateral nAMD were included. Fellow eyes of 8,522 patients (38%) converted to nAMD. Among these, 2,639 (12%), 2,030 (9%), and 1,802 (8%) patients converted in Years 1, 2, and 3, respectively, after diagnosis in the first eye. Fellow eyes had better vision at conversion and 1 year following conversion. CONCLUSIONS: The fellow eye should be monitored at regular intervals to detect signs of neovascularization. Fellow eyes presented with significantly better vision at diagnosis than the initial eye and maintained better visual acuity with less injections.

Automated summary

This study aimed to assess the incidence of conversion to bilateral neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) following treatment of nAMD in the initial eye, revealing that fellow eyes had better vision at conversion and 1 year following conversion. Regular monitoring of fellow eyes is recommended to detect signs of neovascularization.