Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration in the Very Old (=90 Years): Epidemiology, Adherence to Treatment, and Comparison of Efficacy

TY - JOUR

T1 - Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration in the Very Old (=90 Years): Epidemiology, Adherence to Treatment, and Comparison of Efficacy

AU - Subhi, Yousif

AU - Sørensen, Torben Lykke

PY - 2017/6/4

Y1 - 2017/6/4

N2 - Purpose. To investigate neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in patients aged ≥90 years from several perspectives for a comprehensive overview: prevalence, presenting characteristics, treatment adherence, reasons for discontinuation, and efficacy of antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment comparing Ranibizumab and Aflibercept. Methods. In this retrospective chart review, we determined the prevalence and presenting characteristics by reviewing all data for patients referred to our department with treatment-naïve neovascular AMD. By looking at historical cohorts, we determined adherence to treatment, reasons for discontinuation, and treatment outcomes after loading dose, 12 months, and 24 months. Results. Patients aged ≥90 years constituted 7% of the patients. Treatment was discontinued in 51%, primarily because of death and treatment burden. Mean change in best-corrected visual acuity was 3.2, 1.5, and -2.2 ETDRS letters at 4, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Aflibercept was superior to Ranibizumab in visual and anatomic outcomes. After two years of treatment, patients losing ≥15 ETDRS letters made up 19% in the Aflibercept group and 26% in the Ranibizumab group. Conclusions. We propose that the very old patients with neovascular AMD may constitute a distinctive group warranting special attention and possibilities for individualized therapy. Possible differences between anti-VEGF agents need further investigations.

AB - Purpose. To investigate neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in patients aged ≥90 years from several perspectives for a comprehensive overview: prevalence, presenting characteristics, treatment adherence, reasons for discontinuation, and efficacy of antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment comparing Ranibizumab and Aflibercept. Methods. In this retrospective chart review, we determined the prevalence and presenting characteristics by reviewing all data for patients referred to our department with treatment-naïve neovascular AMD. By looking at historical cohorts, we determined adherence to treatment, reasons for discontinuation, and treatment outcomes after loading dose, 12 months, and 24 months. Results. Patients aged ≥90 years constituted 7% of the patients. Treatment was discontinued in 51%, primarily because of death and treatment burden. Mean change in best-corrected visual acuity was 3.2, 1.5, and -2.2 ETDRS letters at 4, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Aflibercept was superior to Ranibizumab in visual and anatomic outcomes. After two years of treatment, patients losing ≥15 ETDRS letters made up 19% in the Aflibercept group and 26% in the Ranibizumab group. Conclusions. We propose that the very old patients with neovascular AMD may constitute a distinctive group warranting special attention and possibilities for individualized therapy. Possible differences between anti-VEGF agents need further investigations.

U2 - 10.1155/2017/7194927

DO - 10.1155/2017/7194927

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28660080

SN - 2090-004X

VL - 2017

JO - Journal of Ophthalmology

JF - Journal of Ophthalmology

M1 - 7194927

ER -