SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES AFTER INTERIM TREATMENT WITH BROLUCIZUMAB A Retrospective Case Series of a Single Center Experience

Purpose: To examine outcomes of eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration that were switched to brolucizumab because of an unsatisfactory response to bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and/or aflibercept and then switched back because of the presence or risk of intraocular inflammation. Methods: Retrospective case series of 51 eyes. Visual acuity and retinal anatomy on optical coherence tomography were recorded at the first brolucizumab injection (T1), the final brolucizumab injection (T2), and 6 months following the final brolucizumab injection (T3). Results: At T2, 41 eyes (41/51%, 80%) had decreased subretinal fluid (31 eyes), intraretinal fluid (12 eyes), or pigment epithelial detachment height (12 eyes). At T3, decreased subretinal fluid was sustained in 17 eyes (17/31%, 55%), decreased intraretinal fluid was sustained in eight eyes (8/12%, 67%), and decreased pigment epithelial detachment height was sustained in eight eyes (8/12%, 67%). Mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity at T1, T2, and T3 was 0.396 (similar to 20/50), 0.441 (similar to 20/55), and 0.468 (similar to 20/59), respectively. During the brolucizumab treatment period, 11 eyes (11/51%, 22%) developed intraocular inflammation, including one case of retinal vasculitis. Conclusion: Interim treatment with brolucizumab resulted in anatomical improvements in 41 eyes (41/51%, 80%) that were maintained in 22 of these eyes (22/41%, 54%) for at least 6 months after switching back to the original anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapeutic. There were no corresponding significant changes in visual acuity.

Automated summary

Switching to brolucizumab treatment resulted in anatomical improvements in some patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, but did not significantly improve visual acuity.