The effect of vitreomacular interface in neovascular age-related macular degeneration treated with intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to study the effect of repeated intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs on vitreomacular interface.Methods: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients who received intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs were included. Eyes with severe vitreous opacity, uveitis, complicated cataract surgery and previous vitrectomy were excluded. vitreomacular interface, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) assessment was performed once a month for at least 3 months. The nature and time of the change event are recorded.Results: Total 87 eyes were evaluated. Vitreomacular interface change event occurred in 9 eyes. Pre-existing vitreomacular interface abnormality (VMIA) was a risk factor for the VMI change (P=0.033, OR=16.518, 95% CI: 1.258 to 216.939). The interface event occurred in the first 3 months of treatment. the final BCVA of eyes with vitreomacular interface unchanged was significantly higher than that at baseline (P=0.001), and the final CRT was also significantly lower than that at baseline (P<0.001 and P=0.001). The final CRT of eyes with vitreomacular interface changed was significantly lower than that at baseline (P=0.015), however, there was no statistical significance in BCVA (P=0.468).Conclusions: Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs has a certain probability to cause changes in vitreomacular interface, and the risk is higher in eyes with pre-existing vitreomacular interface abnormality. The effect of intravitreal injections on vitreomacular interface was concentrated in the first three injections, and subsequent increases in the number of injections did not significantly increase the risk of vitreomacular interface abnormality. Ophthalmologists should increase attention to the vitreomacular interface in the early stages of anti-VEGF therapy and counsel patients accordingly.