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Real‐world treatment outcomes of neovascular Age‐related Macular Degeneration in the Netherlands
Author(s) -
Verbraak Frank D.,
Ponsioen Dirk L.,
TigchelaarBesling Odette A.M.,
Nguyen Vuong,
Gillies Mark C.,
Barthelmes Daniel,
Klaver Caroline C.W.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/aos.14712
Subject(s) - medicine , aflibercept , macular degeneration , ranibizumab , bevacizumab , visual acuity , ophthalmology , blindness , optometry , surgery , chemotherapy
Purpose To compare treatment outcomes of treatment‐naïve eyes with neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD) with bevacizumab as the first‐line treatment, according to the guidelines of the Dutch Ophthalmological Society, with those treated first with either ranibizumab or aflibercept, as used in many other countries, all treated using a treat‐and‐extend strategy. Methods Data were obtained from the prospectively designed Fight Retinal Blindness! outcomes registry. The primary outcome was the mean change from baseline in visual acuity of all treated eyes, after 12, 24 and 36 months of treatment. Secondary outcomes were the number of injections, the number of visits and the rate of switching to a second anti‐VEGF drug. Results The study included 703 treatment‐naïve eyes with nAMD with 12 months follow‐up, 373 eyes with 24 months follow‐up, and 171 eyes with 36 months follow‐up in the Netherlands, and 1131, 652, and 303 treatment‐naïve eyes with respectively 12, 24, and 36 months of follow‐up in all other countries. The change in visual acuity from baseline did not differ between the Netherlands and the other countries at any follow‐up time. The median number of injections, visits and the proportion of eyes switching treatment was significantly higher in the Netherlands than in the other countries. Conclusion Starting anti‐VEGF treatment for nAMD with bevacizumab, as is mandatory in the Netherlands, delivers outcomes similar to those starting treatment with either ranibizumab or aflibercept, but at a cost of more frequent injections, and visits, and more frequent switching treatment to a second drug.