Baseline optical coherence tomography angiography biomarkers predict visual outcomes in treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients

Sci Rep. 2024 Oct 18;14(1):24528. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-75530-x.

Abstract

This retrospective study aimed to assess different macular neovascular network characteristics in relation to changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over 3 and 12 months following treatment. Using optical coherence tomography angiography, we reviewed the medical records of 46 treatment-naïve patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who received intravitreal aflibercept injections. The change in BCVA from baseline to 3 months and 12 months after treatment was recorded. The mean vessels percentage area, junctions density, lacunarity, and fractal dimension were significantly correlated with the change of BCVA from baseline to month 3 (P = 0.003, 0.046, 0.007, and 0.005 respectively). Fractal dimension and vessels percentage area were correlated with the change of BCVA from baseline to month 12 (P = 0.023 and 0.023 respectively). The findings suggest that baseline characteristics of macular neovascular complexes may serve as predictors for BCVA changes following treatment with aflibercept in nAMD patients.

Keywords: Age-related macular degeneration; Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor; Macular neovascularization; Optical coherence tomography angiography.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers*
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography / methods
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Macular Degeneration / diagnostic imaging
  • Macular Degeneration / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor* / therapeutic use
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins* / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins* / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence* / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Acuity*

Substances

  • aflibercept
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Biomarkers
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors