In patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) there is often an inconsistency between their subjective visual impairment and a still relatively preserved standard Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) best corrected visual acuity. Therefore, in order to better capture the specific functional defects in nAMD, other tests need to be evaluated. In a previous study, we reported contrast sensitivity of the better eye to best correlate with near distance and distance vision related quality of life in patients with bilateral nAMD. Here, we evaluated Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity, ETDRS visual acuity, low luminance visual acuity and Radner maximum reading speed and correlated them with several morphologic parameters as measured on fundus autofluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography and optical tomography angiography in 54 patients. A multiple regression analysis was performed which correlated each visual function parameter with the anatomic features. The results showed the strongest correlations between the total area of macular geographic atrophy as well as the percentage of geographic atrophy in the central 1 mm and contrast sensitivity. Further, the regression model selected the total area of macular geographic atrophy, the photoreceptor inner and outer segments interface disruption score, the presence of subretinal fibrosis in the central 1 mm and the central retinal thickness as the variables that explained 71% of the variation in contrast sensitivity when including all eyes. Hence, our results suggest that among the evaluated measures of vision, contrast sensitivity is best correlated with the morphologic impairment in bilateral nAMD. Thus, contrast sensitivity may complement ETDRS visual acuity in clinical trials and serve as a standard diagnostic tool in clinical practice.

Purpose: To investigate longer-term functional and morphological outcomes and their predictors in diabetic macular edema (DME) following a treat and extend regimen (TER) without loading dose under ranibizumab. Methods: Patient data were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively over a period of 24 months after initiation of TER. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), treatment frequency as well as quantitative and qualitative Spectral-domain Optical Coherence Tomography parameters were assessed. Results: 118 eyes of 87 patients were included. A mean of 9.742.13 injections in the first and 7.632.29 in the second year were applied. There were significant gains of BCVA and reductions in central retinal thickness from baseline to month 12 and 24 (all p<0.001). Percentage of eyes with an intact inner-/outer segment (IS/OS) junction increased from 15.3% at baseline to 42.1% at month 24 (p<0.001). An intact IS/OS junction at baseline increased the probability of having a dry retina after 12 months by 79.3% (p=0.017) and after 24 months by 88.1% (p=0.040). Less IS/OS disruption at baseline predicted longer maximum recurrence-free treatment intervals at 2 years (r=-0.345, p<0.001) and better BCVA at one year (r=-0.347, p<0.001). Baseline bigger intraretinal cysts were associated with more IS/OS disruption at 24 months (r=0.305, p=0.007). Younger age and lower BCVA at baseline were predictive for a higher BCVA gain at 24 months (p=0.046, p<0.001). Conclusion: Ranibizumab applied in a TER without loading dose in DME significantly improves visual acuity and retinal anatomical structure throughout two years. The evaluated predictors might help to guide routine clinical treatment in DME.

The use of anti-vascular-endothelial growth factor agents for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in different treatment schemes is widely common in clinical practice. However, there is currently limited data on the long-term outcomes of a strict treat-and-extend regimen (TER) and imaging biomarkers to predict both functional outcome and the potential for a TER exit due to success. In this retrospective study we followed treatment-naïve subjects with nAMD starting treatment with either ranibizumab or aflibercept in a TER without loading dose but with predefined exit criteria for up to 8 years. We evaluated both the functional outcome and several spectral-domain optical coherence tomography parameters in a follow-up mode using a standardized protocol. Within the 211 eyes followed for a mean of 60.3 ± 20.9 months, follow-up adherence was high with major part of discontinuations of TER being due to success. Mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) increased from initially 63.9 ± 15.5 ETDRS letters to 70.0 ± 14.7 after 1 year (+6.1 letters, p &lt; 0.001) and to 68.5 ± 18.1 (+4.6 letters, p = 0.028) at 5 years. A worse BCVA (p = 0.001) and a better external limiting membrane (ELM) disruption score at baseline predicted (p = 0.019) BCVA gain at 5 years. The probability of reaching the exit criteria was significantly associated with a better ELM disruption score (p = 0.044) and the absence of a central pigment epithelial detachment (PED) (p = 0.05) at baseline. Significant visual gains were sustained in a long-term TER in a real-world setting. Integrity of ELM at baseline predicted BCVA gain at 5 years and the potential for TER exit due to success.

AimTo investigate the peripapillary and macular microvasculature in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in recently started versus long-term anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy and healthy controls.MethodsEyes with nAMD treated in a treat-and-extend regimen were assigned to group 1 (&lt;5 injections) or 2 (≥20 injections) whereas group 3 constituted the healthy age-matched controls. Blood flow signals were acquired using PLEX® Elite 9000 swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) of the macular and peripapillary regions. Mean ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness values were quantified using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).ResultsIncluding 80 eyes whereof 40 controls, macular superficial perfusion density was significantly reduced in group 1 and 2 compared to controls (p &lt; 0.001; p = 0.010) without a difference between groups 1 and 2. Peripapillary perfusion parameters did not correlate with post-operative intraocular pressure (IOP) or number of anti-VEGF injections. Mean peripapillary flux index was significantly lower in group 2 than in controls (p = 0.023) and significantly decreased in the nasal quadrants for both AMD groups compared to group 3 (p = 0.013; p &lt; 0.001). Mean peripapillary perfusion density was significantly reduced in both AMD groups compared to controls (0.515 ± 0.02 versus 0.556 ± 0.03, p &lt; 0.0001).ConclusionFrequency of anti-VEGF treatment in nAMD and post-operative IOP showed no correlation with peripapillary perfusion parameters, but anti-VEGF treated nAMD patients exhibited partly altered peripapillary perfusion compared to healthy controls. Reduced macular perfusion density of the inner retina in anti-VEGF treated nAMD compared to healthy controls might be discussed as an anti-VEGF treatment effect or a characteristic of nAMD.